Noel Edmonds has slammed the BBC for its ‘deceptive’ new rally show which featured celebrities who couldn’t drive, five-star hotels and a wrap party in a suspected brothel.
BBC Two’s Eight Go Rallying promised to show teams of celebrities racing across 2,500 miles throughThailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
But television presenter Noel Edmonds, who has a background in rally racing, said the programme was ‘fictitious’ and ‘dishonest’.
Noel Edmonds and wife Liz signed up for the show as they were promised an ‘epic adventure’

Noel (pictured with Liz on the show) said the pair had ‘more adventure driving down to Tesco’
In its press release in January it said the famous contestants ‘would compete against each other and over 30 other vintage car enthusiasts’ and ‘meet the locals… and stay in some one-of-a-kind accommodation’.
But Edmonds said the contestants were not allowed to race against each other and they were put up in the Sofitel, Hyatt and other five-star hotels.
The Deal or No Deal host, 69, even stormed out of the wrap party because he suspected the bar it was being held in was a brothel.
He revealed most of the celebrities couldn’t drive and two of them crossed the finish line as passengers in a taxi.

BBC Two’s Eight Go Rallying promised to show teams of celebrities racing across 2,500 miles through Thailand , Cambodia and Vietnam

Martin Kemp and his wife Shirlie rolled their Mini in the first few days of filming and were given a hire car
Edmonds normally rejects offers to go on reality TV, but said he and his wife were assured the BBC show was going to be different and offer an ‘epic adventure’.
He told The Sunday Times: ‘Ignoring the very high temperatures, we’ve experienced more adventure driving down to Tesco.’
In a statement, the BBC strongly rejected Edmonds’ claims. It said: ‘We are surprised that Noel has made such allegations regarding the production company and filming, not least because on the last day of filming he praised the production team and the experience.

Rapper Tinchy Stryder (left) destroyed the clutch in his car and crossed the finish line in a taxi
‘Noel has mischaracterised a programme that he hasn’t yet seen. Overall his assertions are littered with inaccuracies, which we have discussed with him in detail.
‘For example, it was clear when Noel signed his contract that they would be starting at the half way point of the rally, competing against their fellow celebrities rather than those taking part in the official rally.
‘This is spelt out in the contract that Noel signed. The programme was produced with input from industry experts and in accordance with relevant health and safety guidance.
‘If Noel had waited to see the programme first, we hope he’d agree that far from deceiving viewers the programme faithfully follows the celebrities on their adventure – and yes, it was gruelling.

Food presenter Andi Oliver (left) had to drive the whole way on her own as her daughter hadn’t passed her test
‘As viewers will see, when “mishaps” happened during the course of the filming, this is reflected in the programme.
‘With reference to two of the celebrities not having driving licences, it is common practice in ERA rallies for teams to include a non-driving navigator with no requirement for a licence.
‘In a demanding drive like this, it’s not surprising that not all the original cars made it to the end – as viewers will see.
‘Whilst the road trip may not have felt “epic” or “unique” to Noel, to the average person it would be a privilege to take part in such a trip for a TV programme.
‘There is no truth to the claim that the wrap party was held in a “brothel”.
It was a karaoke bar in a 4 star hotel.
‘The other participants remain positive about their experience, and we think viewers will enjoy the programme.’