Noel Edmonds has been stunned by Channel 4 chiefs as they have declined to take up a renewal clause in his contract to present the hit quiz "Deal or No Deal".
The problem was Edmonds' insistance that he would boycott a celebrity edition of the show on the basis that "having 22 C list celebrities would be horrifying". Lawyers advised bosses that Edmonds has to be released from his contract as soon as possible because he has only, at best, C list status himself.
Richard Madelely was initially favourite to step into Noel's shoes, however Channel 4 are taking the option to revamp the show. A current, as yet un-named, premiership manager is favourite to take control of the show, and the red boxes will be replaced by manilla envelopes.
When approached by Channel 4, the manager involved said he was "very interested, for sure".
