The British TV star suffered serious flood damage to his Ngātīmoti property.
It was billed by some as the next Clarkson’s Farm, but Noel Edmonds’ TV show about his new life in New Zealand has got the chop after just three episodes, the Sun is reporting.
The first series of Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, set at his River Haven farm in TasmanDistrict’s Motueka Valley, aired in June but broadcaster ITV reportedly has no plans to make further episodes amid failing ratings.
Sources close to the former high-profile TV presenter confirmed his disappointment but said other factors were behind the axing, most prominently the extreme weather, the Sun reported.
The series followed the former Noel’s House Party host and wife Liz’s new rural life Downunder and their hopes of turning River Haven’s vineyard, pub and wellness centre into a success, while also winning over locals.
Crystal beds, PEMF pads and cold showers were part of Noel Edmonds' health plan in his new life in New Zealand. Photo / ITV
It also focused on Edmonds’ quirky side, including his fascination with crystal healing, the Sun reported.
But flooding had badly affected River Haven and made working on the estate almost impossible, the Sun reported a source close to Edmonds saying.
“That would have meant filming would have been seriously hampered. As far as Noel is concerned, the show has been put on ice.”
The top of the South Island, and in particular the Motueka Valley, has been struck by several heavy rain events this winter, with two causing major flooding and damage to land and homes.
Noel Edmonds shared photos of flood damage to his Ngātīmoti, Motueka Valley estate online. Photo / River Haven TV
Some compared Edmonds’ show with Prime Video’s hit Clarkson’s Farm, where former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson – a farming newbie – attempts to run his Diddly Squat farm in West Oxfordshire.
However, while Clarkson’s Farm is now in its fourth season, Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure hadn’t fired.
“There was a great buzz around the series and it was well received by both viewers and critics alike,” a TV insider told the Sun.
“But it needed big numbers to spark a follow-up, and attracting 1-1.5 million per episode just wasn’t enough.”
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
