I think I preferred The First Noel...

IN THE early 1970s when Noel Edmonds began his rise to national prominence as a Radio 1 presenter, he was seen as more cavalier Kenny Everett than housewives’ favourite Tony Blackburn. An impression reinforced when he took over the Saturday afternoon show from Everett.

- with MICK WALL

When, in 1973, he replaced the irredeemably corny Blackburn as presenter of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, however, it was the beginning of a hugely successful reinvention as all-round family-entertainer. From Swap Shop to Telly Addicts, Noel's House Party and ultimately Deal Or No Deal.

Not even the 2006 bankruptcy of Unique, his production company, that his bank manager is still doing time for, could hold him back for long.

Then came the blow of being voted first off, in the 2018 edition of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Here.

Coming 11th out of 11 just days before his 70th birthday was enough, it appeared, to send him into retirement.

But now he’s back with the three-part ITV series, Noel Edmonds Kiwi Adventure, which concluded on Friday night but is still available on ITVX.

The zany gags of yore have been exchanged for lectures, aphorisms, and personal recollections (alluding even to his reported suicide attempt 20 years ago), on how to bring “positivity” to our screens.

Apart from one wince-inducing scene with Mr Blobby, in fact, the only attempts at comedy are entirely unintentional.

There are scenes of Noel shuddering in an ice water-filled barrel, lying beneath crystal lights (“So healing!”) and doing some “tranquil power” workouts.