The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
TV’s Deal or No Deal host was suicidal over fraud
Ordeal: Edmonds tried to end life
Noel Edmonds came close to taking his own life after falling victim to financial fraud, the Deal or No Deal star has revealed.
He continues to seek compensation from Lloyds Banking Group.
Mr Edmonds said he was taken “to the brink of emotional annihilation” after a group of corrupt HBOS financiers helped destroy his former business, Unique Group.
The TV star said: “I had always felt those who opt out by taking their own lives were selfish and cowardly.
“But having been cast into that bottomless dark space devoid of logic and reason, I have a much deeper understanding of life without hope.
“I seek no sympathy and feel no shame in admitting that on the evening of January 18, 2005 I attempted to end the overwhelming mental pain which had consumed my whole being.
“The fact that I did not become another suicide statistic is solely due to the swift response of a Devon ambulance crew and the compassionate support of the Priory in Bristol.”
The former HBOS financiers were jailed earlier this year for carrying out a £245million loans scam that destroyed several businesses, including that of Mr Edmonds.
The financiers squandered the profits on highend prostitutes and luxury holidays.
Lloyds, which rescued HBOS during the financial crisis, said in April it would begin making compensation offers to fraud victims in May from a £100million pot, with payments expected to begin in June.
However, Mr Edmonds has repeatedly urged Lloyds to speed up the process after launching a £50million-plus compensation claim against the lender.
He has even gone as far as to set up a website as part of his campaign.
The campaign also references Lloyds chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio’s “well-publicised
“I attempted to end the overwhelming mental pain in my being”
mental breakdown” in 2011.
The celebrity has asked several times for a personal meeting with Mr Horta-Osorio but claims his requests have gone unanswered.
Mr Edmonds said that, since coming back from the brink of suicide, he has gone on to donate generously to third sector organisations.
He added: “Subsequently I have donated generously and gratefully to The Samaritans and privately I use my experience to comfort and support others for whom life has no hope.”
Lloyds has said its compensation programme is “on track” and the lender has started making payments to some of those affected.