Countdown star Rachel Riley blasted by Noel Edmonds over Lloyds campaign: 'Hand back the money and restore your integrity'

The TV entertainer fell victim to financial fraud
Under attack: Rachel Riley was slammed by Noel Edmonds
Dave Benett
Emma Powell20 July 2018
The Weekender

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Countdown star Rachel Riley has been blasted by Noel Edmonds for fronting an advert for Lloyds – the bank he is suing for £60 million.

Riley signed up for the campaign, with Mental Health UK, to encourage people to speak about their mental health. She can be seen wearing a post-it note reading: “#gettheinsideout.”

Edmonds launched an attack on Riley, demanding she pay back any fees she received from a company he claims destroys lives on a “military scale”.

“Apparently Rachel has been paid £20,000 to lend her name to the campaign,” he told the Daily Mail.

No Deal: Noel Edmonds is suing the banking giant
ITV/REX

“It’s possible that Rachel is not aware that Lloyds Bank is responsible for the destruction of lives and livelihoods on a military scale.’

He told Riley: “Hand back the money and restore your integrity. You’re either with the victims or the perpetrators. Undo the damage, Rachel.”

Edmonds’ empire, Unique Group, was one of several businesses that collapsed at the hands of ex-HBOS bankers David Mills, Alison Mills, Lynden Scoufield, Mark Dobson, Michael Bancroft and John Cartwright who have all since been imprisoned.

Lloyd’s, which took over HBOS in 2009, has set aside £100 million to compensate the victims of the fraud.

“They stole my companies, they stole my home, they stole my family, they stole my livelihood, they nearly stole my life,” he told ITV News.

“I want my stolen goods back. I want to be able to get on with my life and restore my reputation.”

Standard Online has contacted Rachel Riley for comment.

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