Noel Edmonds vs Lloyds Bank: I'm A Celeb star's legal battle explained

You’d think Noel Edmonds had enough on his plate, being launched into the I’m A Celebrity jungle this week. But as the 69-year-old prepares for a few weeks of bushtucker trials, his lawyers are making the case to start the trial of a £60 million lawsuit against Lloyds Bank.

Edmonds’ legal team are expected to serve the bank with a pre-case letter today (Wednesday), although it could take until early December to file the case formally.

Why is Edmonds suing a bank?

In 1985, Edmonds formed the Unique Group, which was the umbrella name for a group of various companies. Edmonds now claims the group was pushed into failure by the fraudulent activity at the Reading branch of HBOS, which Lloyds acquired in 2008.

What was happening in the Reading branch?

Bankers at the branch were part of a now notorious £245 million loans scam between 2003 and 2008, in which it was revealed they spent the cash on – among other things – prostitutes and holidays. Those involved have since been jailed.

Lloyds set aside £100 million to compensate victims, and a spokesperson for the bank said previously: “We have now provided outcomes to more than 95% of customers in the review and more than 90% of these offers have been accepted.”

But Edmonds was not one of the 95%, and despite mediation with the bank, a settlement was not agreed.

Noel Edmonds and his wife Elizabeth arrive prior to the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

How has Edmonds fought his case so far?

Well, he’s recently gone for a very Edmonds-esque way of dealing with it. Earlier this year, he set up an online radio station called Positively Noel.

Between songs, he played messages about his case and encouraged Lloyds staff to call his whistleblowing hotline. The BBC reported: “The songs all relate to the TV and radio host’s campaign in some way – including Lunchmoney Lewis’s Bills, and Don’t Give Up by Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel. The music is interspersed with anti-banking messages, mock Lloyds adverts and appeals for anyone who has had similar experiences to get in touch.”

He has also been gathering information from individuals – including the convicted HBOS Reading banker Michael Bancroft, who is serving 10 years in prison – over the past 10 years as part of his case.

Edmonds explained why it’s taken so long to file his case against the bank: “I’m not saying that I’m anything other than aghast at what Bancroft did to people, but he does seem very anxious now to make up for it. And he provided some very important information which then delayed our submission.”

How bad did it get?

He revealed that the situation led him to attempt suicide in 2005: “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…

Noel Edmonds has been tipped to enter the jungle (Photo: Channel 4) — Noel Edmonds had been tipped to enter the jungle (Photo: Channel 4)

“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.”

What happens next?

When the pre-case letter is filed, that’s when legal proceedings will start.

Lloyds Bank today said: “We are still waiting for Mr Edmonds to file his legal claim. If he does file his claim, it will be contested‎.”

The TV star added: “When my case is settled I’m not going to ride off into the sunset and forget about this. It’s my determination that I can make life easier, simpler for other people.”

He has also pledged to use a portion of any gains from the pending lawsuit to fund a charity for banking victims.