Edmonds ‘close to suicide’ after business ruined
NOEL Edmonds came close to taking his own life after falling victim to financial fraud, the Deal or No Deal star has revealed as he continues to seek compensation from Lloyds Banking Group.
Speaking to the Press Association, 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: “Until these criminals took me to the brink of emotional annihilation, 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 18th 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 £245m loans scam that destroyed several businesses, including that of Mr Edmonds, before they squandered the profits on high-end prostitutes and luxury holidays.