Noel Edmonds says lobster video backlash from 'stupid, ignorant' people is 'hilarious'

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.

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.

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."