Noel Edmonds sues former friend over South Tawton house

Television personality Noel Edmonds has taken a former 'close friend' to court over money he allegedly lost during the purchase and sale of Wood House in South Tawton.

The details emerged during a court hearing in which the Deal or No Deal star, 62, is suing former friend Ulrik Lawson, 50, for more than £370,000 over a joint deal on the £2.1 million country estate.

Mr Lawson yesterday (Wed) denied he had promised to repay first the £300,000 that Mr Edmonds had invested in the business venture. Edmonds and Mr Lawson each invested £300,000 into buying and renovating the large house and estate in the edge of the village.

Supported by bank loans, the duo intended to get planning permission to refurbish the property and develop the site. Bristol County Court heard planning permission was never granted and when the estate was sold two years later, the Telly Addicts presenter took back just £52,000, while Mr Lawson received £300,000.

Edmonds maintains he had a verbal agreement with Mr Lawson to get his £300,000 investment back first – a claim rejected yesterday by the property developer.

Patrick Lawrence QC, representing Mr Lawson, asked his client: "Any truth in that suggestion?" Mr Lawson replied: "Absolutely not."

They became "close friends" in 2002 and Mr Edmonds went to stay with the property developer after divorcing his second wife in 2004. They also went on holiday together, the court heard.

Mr Lawson said he first mentioned to Edmonds about buying Wood House over a game of snooker. "I didn't need to persuade Noel into anything," he said. "He was incredibly enthusiastic about the property the first time he saw it."

Mr Lawson has launched a £260,000 counter-claim against the TV presenter for unpaid work on picturesque St Surf house, in Exeter. Bristol County Court heard Mr Edmonds bought the property in an attempt to build it up into the ''best house in Exeter", kitting out the home with luxurious interior furnishings, including the fish tank.

Mr Lawson claims invoices for work on the home were not paid from October 2007 onwards.

Quizzed by Mr Lawrence, Mr Lawson denied the suggestion from Edmonds that he had worked on that development free of charge. "I would have not undertaken the work," he said.

Earlier, Edmonds' personal business manager, Maria Robertson, said the TV star trusted Mr Lawson completely.

She said: "Noel was adamant that their friendship was so strong that there was nothing wrong with the investment."

However Mr Lawrence pointed out differences between her witness statements and what she was saying in court and accused her of lying. "It can be inferred that you are a person who will lie when it's expedient to do so," the barrister asked her. She replied: "That would be totally unfair."

Edmonds was accompanied to the hearing by his wife, Liz Davies.

The hearing was adjourned until today.

Information from This is Devon