Noel Edmonds reveals he took an overdose after HBOS Bank fees ‘robbed me of my marriage, my family, my self-respect’
Deal Or No Deal star is suing for £300million compensation as he claims scam anguish contributed to cancer diagnosis
NOEL Edmonds has bravely opened up about his traumatic pills and booze suicide bid after corrupt bankers destroyed his business.
The Deal Or No Deal star said greedy HBOS employees robbed him of everything when they scammed his Unique Group firm.
Now, the TV legend is seeking £300million in compensation from Lloyds Group, which bought the crisis-hit bank during the financial crash.
HBOS criminals were jailed earlier this year for a £245million loans scam which destroyed several businesses, including Noel's.
"Bankers are financial terrorists," he told the paper. "Money is their god and greed is their faith. They see no other logic than the pursuit of their religion."
The Sun reported earlier how Noel, who rose to fame in the 80s and 90s on Top Of The Pops and House Party, thanked hero paramedics and rehab staff for saving his life.
"The fact I did not become another suicide statistic is solely due to the swift response of a Devon ambulance crew and compassionate support of the Priory in Bristol", he said.
He added: “Until these criminals took me to the brink of emotional annihilation, I’d 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.
"I seek no sympathy and feel no shame in admitting that on the evening of January 18, 2005, I attempted to end the overwhelming mental pain which had consumed my whole being."
Noel, who married make-up artist Liz Davies in 2009, also blames his prostate cancer on the HBOS trauma.
"I am absolutely sure the negative forces acting on me impacted on my health," he said.
"There is a wealth of information from various clinical studies of a direct link between stress and cancer. I am absolutely certain there was a link in my case.
"I don’t say cancer was caused by the stress, but that my health deteriorated to such an extent I got prostate cancer."
A Lloyds spokesman said: "Our first priority remains getting compensation to customers affected by the fraud.
"We have already made offers to over half the customers participating in the review.
"While we continue to believe that the review is the best way to get swift and fair compensation to customers where detriment has occurred, for those who choose not to participate, we will seek to resolve these matters outside the review as appropriate."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.