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Anger over Noel Edmonds' 186mph naked drive boast
Last updated at 10:07am on 29.09.06
Speedy: Noel Edmonds admits to once driving his Ford GT40 at 186mph
TV presenter Noel Edmonds has angered road safety campaigners after boasting that he once drove at 186mph in the nude.
The 57-year-old host of Deal or No Deal said he nearly crashed his sports car as he sped towards a roundabout 20 years ago.
• More: Only one in 20 road accidents caused by breaking speed limit
Edmonds admitted his crazy stunt in an interview with a lads' magazine. When asked what the fastest he has driven was, he said it was 186mph at 4.30am one morning in his Ford GT40.
"I thought I'd take it out for a breather, the poor thing was stuck in its stable and needed exercise," he said.
"I remember arriving at the roundabout horrendously fast, I almost didn't stop. Can I be prosecuted for that now?"
Infuriated road safety chiefs have blasted the TV star over his risky actions.
Nigel Humphries, of the Association of British Drivers, said: "You would need to be specially trained to even attempt those speeds on a race track. It is not something to be boastful about."
Edmonds' agent Mark Borkowski said: "This happened 20 years ago when he woke up early one morning, stark naked and wanted to drive.
"But Noel accepts the thing about speed and fast cars is that it should be done in the appropriate places and in experienced hands."
Edmonds' boast comes just days after Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was involved in a horrific 300mph crash while filming for the show.
Reader views (5)
Driving at 185mph is clearly not acceptable. But Edmonds is an absolute legend and one of the most talented men in the history of the UK. If anyone can drive at that speed safely it is him.
- Martin Webb, Bristol, England
I saw the cheeky Silver Fox once at Bristol Airport. However he was not speeding because he was standing in the queue and not in his motor.
- Matilda, Deepdene
Whilst I find Edmonds boasting of his high speed misadventure distasteful, the mental picture of him sitting stark naked in the car while he did it really is too much to bear.
- Keith, London
I think Noel was driving too fast. It's not fair.
- David , London
Yeukk! And not a little sad.
- Paul, London
