Television personality Noel Edmonds has responded to backlash following a viral video that showed him releasing live lobsters into the sea. Edmonds, 77, admitted in a new Instagram video that he "probably only delayed the inevitable" and the lobsters may now be dead.
The incident occurred when Edmonds and his wife, Liz, purchased two lobsters from a farm shop on the Isle of Man. According to Edmonds, his wife felt sympathy for the lobsters in the tank, prompting their decision to buy and release them. The shop owner, Matt Harrison, reportedly informed them that the water temperature in the tank was similar to that of Peel Harbour, where they subsequently released the crustaceans.
Edmonds stated that he and his wife paid for the lobsters, emphasizing that they considered them theirs and it was their choice to return them to what they believed was their natural environment. He acknowledged that the release had to be done in the harbour as they did not have a boat.
The backlash stemmed from concerns that lobsters purchased from shops or restaurants are often stressed and ill-equipped to survive in the wild. Experts suggest that releasing such animals can also introduce foreign diseases and disrupt local ecosystems.
In response to the public reaction, Edmonds stated his intention to "elbow out the lies." He also took the opportunity to express his fondness for the Isle of Man, where he owns a holiday home. Edmonds described the island as "how England used to be," praising its sense of community and the pride its residents have in their home.
Matt Harrison, the owner of the farm shop, indicated that he had moved the lobster tank to a less prominent position and was considering its removal. Harrison stated he was sensitive to people's feelings but noted that the majority of customers wanted the shop to continue supporting local businesses, which is the shop's core purpose. He mentioned that the lobsters were sourced from a local young shellfish fisherman and that the tank was maintained with filtered water at appropriate salinity and temperature levels. The lobsters were reportedly not kept in the tank for more than a fortnight before being sold or rotated.