Noel Edmonds Sparks Outrage with Lobster Video—His Surprising Reaction Will Shock You
So, Noel Edmonds decided to play lobster liberator with his wife Liz, scooping up two crustaceans from an Isle of Man farm shop tank and setting them free in the ocean. Seems noble, right? Well, not exactly—because turns out, popping lobsters back into the wild isn’t just frowned upon, it’s against the law thanks to the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. And boy, did the internet have thoughts about that! But Noel? He clapped back, calling the backlash “an invitation to the stupid.” Now, here’s the real kicker: they paid for these lobsters, got the shop owner’s blessing, and even helped boost business at the farm shop afterward. So what’s the real deal—heroic animal liberation or a crustacean-shaped headache? Let’s dive in and find out.
Noel Edmonds has clapped back at critics amid an ongoing lobster controversy, saying that backlash is ‘an invitation to the stupid’.
The former Deal Or No Deal presenter found himself at the centre of an internet debate after he filmed himself and wife Liz releasing two lobsters bought from a nearby farm shop back into the ocean.
After feeling ‘uncomfortable’ at the sight of the crustaceans in a tank at The Farm Shop in Glen Helen, Isle of Man, the couple bought the pair and released them into the nearby ocean.
Despite the good intentions behind the gesture, releasing captured sea animals breaches the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which states that captured lobsters ‘cannot be re-immersed’ into the wild.
Noel and his wife Liz filmed themselves releasing the lobsters and shared it on Instagram (Instagram/@noeledmonds.world)
Edmonds has now responded to the backlash, telling LADbible that he had told shop owner Matt Harrison of his plans before purchasing the lobsters, adding that the backlash was an ‘invitation to the stupid, ignorant and toxic people’.
“There were two lobsters, yes just two in the tank, and when we explained what we wanted to do, he offered to gift – yes gift – the two locally caught lobsters to us,” Edmonds explaiend. “We insisted on paying for them.”
The presenter than revealed that Matt had been supportive of the couple’s plans, providing them with a box for transportation as well as advice on how to safely release them into the water while avoiding the ‘ferocious’ claws.
Going on to brush off his critics, which includes a marinie biologists, Edmonds called the reaction ‘hilarious’.
“The reaction to the video is hilarious,” he said. “It was an invitation to the stupid, ignorant and toxic people to spout their bile. Matt and I find it rather amusing!
“Futhermore, they were on sale in a public place and we paid for them. So we were free to do whatever we wanted with them, weren’t we? Or do we now have a society where there will be wardens at the supermarket checkout asking what you’re going to do with the food you’ve purchased?”
Addressing the fact that re-released marine life have little chance of surviving once back in the wild, Edmonds said that he’d given the lobsters ‘another chance’ despite only delaying the ‘inevitable’.
He then added that several Isle of Man residents and customers at the farm shop had been supportive of his and Liz’s actions, prompting Matt to remove the tank.
“I understand from Matt that a number of his regular customers agreed with Liz and I and he decided to remove the tank.
“I’m delighted to say Matt has seen a noticeable increase in trade!”
What has the response to Noel Edmonds’ actions been?
Edmonds and his wife were widely criticised online for their actions, with users commenting that the lobsters ‘didn’t have a chance’ after being removed from the tank.
Meanwhile University of Hull lecturer Dr Magnus Johnson also raised concerns about broader impact to wildlife, telling London Evening Standard it was possible for ‘disasterous’ parasites to spread in UK waters if the lobsters weren’t local.
The video has received backlash online (Instagram/@noeledmonds.world)
Shop owner Matt has also spoken out over the incident, telling Manx Radio that criticism of Edmonds had been ‘incorrect, unfactual and unnecessary’ and added that the lobsters were caught locally, meaning they were not a threat to local marine life.
PETA has also weighed in on the debate, saluting the pair for their actions.
“While the lobsters may not survive, at least they won’t be boiled alive. Lobsters are highly intelligent, sensitive animals who can feel pain and distress, and long to be free,” UK’s Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen told LADbible.
“Of course, the best kind of lobster liberation doesn’t require buying them first – it starts by leaving these clever crustaceans, and all other marine animals, off our plates and in the sea where they belong.”
Joking Hazard Enlarged Box Empty Box for Card Storage
$24.95 (as of August 4, 2026 00:08 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Stained Glass Magna Carta LED Ceiling Fan - 52" L x 52" W - Tiffany Style - Flush Mount Ceiling Fan with Remote - Teal
(as of August 4, 2026 00:08 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Fire Blanket -Certified 1500F Extra Thick, Glow In The Dark Fireproof Emergency Supplies. 500gsm, 0.5mm Thick Fire Blankets Emergency For Home. 5pc Fire Safety Emergency Blanket 40"x40" By Supa Ant
(as of August 4, 2026 00:08 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
White Leaf Baby Food Pouches, Toddler Snack, Mango + Carrot + Banana + Pear | 24 Pack, Organic No Added Sugar, Non-GMO, BPA-Free Regeneratively Farmed, Squeeze Puree Smoothie Pouch for Adults & Children
$64.95 (as of August 4, 2026 00:08 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment