Noel Edmonds sparks controversy after ‘freeing’ two farm-shop lobsters into the sea

People are dubbing it 'lobstergate'

In the minute-long video, Edmonds, 77, explains that he and his wife Liz Davies were at a farm-shop on the Isle of Man and felt "uncomfortable" about seeing lobsters in a tank.

He explained that the couple bought the crustaceans and were going to set them "free" in Peel Harbour, which he subsequently filmed his wife doing.

As the lobsters were thrown gently into the water, he said: "Nice clear water in Peel Harbour; there they go."

He added: "And we know this is nice fresh water because a moment ago a seal went past."

It is worth noting that seals do occasionally eat lobsters and crabs.

Social media users were quick to slam the former Deal or No Deal host for his actions, maintaining that it was unlikely the lobsters would survive their new-found 'freedom'.

One user said: “They didn’t have a chance the moment he removed them from the tank.”

Another commented: “A lovely sentiment, but from a marine biologist perspective it’s best not to release captive lobsters.”

While the thought behind the act might have been from a genuine place, captive lobsters can introduce highly contagious pathogens that can wreck wild marine populations and local fisheries.

Meanwhile, after remaining in such a stable environment for so long, such as a tank, lobsters, like many animals and espcially marine life, are susceptible to rapid temperature changes and predators.

The owner of the farm shop where Edmonds bought the lobsters, Matt Harrison, has also spoken out, saying that he has moved the tank in response to the video.

He said he bought the lobsters to support a young local fisherman, adding: "The tank is still in the shop but we’ve moved it.

"I am sensitive to people’s feelings, but the vast majority want us to keep it."