Noel Edmonds suggests a cancer patient's illness was caused by their 'negative attitude'

Noel Edmonds has prompted criticism for suggesting a cancer patient’s illness was caused by his negative attitude.

The 67-year-old presenter posted a tweet with a photo of a Swiss-made EMP pad, claiming the device slowed the ageing process, reduced pain, lifted depression and stress and addressed cancer.

Vaun Earl, whose Twitter bio says he is ill with kidney cancer, lymph node metastases and psoriatic arthritis, criticised the device and called it “quackery”.

“I think Noel Edmonds should stick to what he's good at. Presenting quiz shows and beard trimming, rather than curing cancer,” Earl wrote on Twitter.

Edmonds responded to Earl by suggested that his ill health was caused by his negative attitude.

Earl told The Independent he did not condone any of the personal attacks being carried out on Edmonds for his remarks.

"I have no statement to make other than what was said on Twitter earlier," Earl said. "I don't condone any personal attacks on Noel."

The company EMPpad has distanced itself from Edmonds and has said they do not agree with his comments "in any way, shape or form."

"The EMPpad Omnium1 and EMPpad iMRS use very low intensity and frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) which target the cells within the body and help to improve the way they function," the company said in a statement. "Research has demonstrated that this can lead to widespread health benefits, including supporting an effective immune response and a healthy overall body."

"Although research using very low frequency and intensity PEMF to help address cancer has produced some promising early results, it is currently in the very early stages and EMPpad does not make the claim that PEMF therapy can prevent cancer," they added.

"The opinions of Mr Noel Edmonds are his alone and do not reflect in any way with the opinions of us at EMPpad. We had no discussion, input or prior knowledge of the content of Mr Edmond’s statement and we do not agree with it in any way, shape or form."

Edmonds has come under heavy criticism for his remarks on social media.

Comedian Al Murray said it was a “horrible thing” for Edmonds to say and mocked the presenter by posting a photograph of a box from his game show Deal Or No Deal.

“I must say I liked Noel Edmonds in the 1980's, but unfortunately he didn't stay there,” wrote one Twitter user. While another said, “Please don't abuse the public and particularly those in need of real answers with this kind of b*****s”.

"My mother died of pancreatic cancer. She was the most positive person I've ever met who would help anybody, clown," wrote another.

Professor Jane Maher, Joint Chief Medical Officer of Macmillan Cancer Support, told The Independent patients should not feel pressured to feel positive after their diagnosis.

“Cancer and its treatment can be a very scary experience, making some people feel helpless and too tired to be positive," Maher said. "But that does not mean they can’t also survive their disease."

“Some patients tell us that having a positive attitude helps them when coping but we also know that a positive attitude means different things to different people and there should be no pressure on anyone to feel or act in a certain way."

“If you are feeling anxious or depressed, you don’t have to go through it alone," she continued. "It’s really important that you do talk to your, doctor, nurse or someone close to you about your feelings."

A spokesperson for Edmonds did not immediately respond to request for comment.