30/09/2015
In the bustling landscape of British celebrity, few figures have captured the public imagination quite like Noel Edmonds. Known for his distinctive broadcasting style and often eccentric demeanour, Edmonds once embarked on a personal transport adventure that blended the iconic imagery of the London black cab with a healthy dose of controversy and peculiar innovation. This is the story of his Bristol commute, the unexpected use of bus lanes, and the intriguing tale of his silent companion, Candice.
For anyone familiar with urban life in the UK, the black cab is more than just a vehicle; it's a cultural staple, synonymous with London's streets and efficient, albeit costly, travel. However, Noel Edmonds' use of one was far from conventional. Faced with the notorious traffic congestion of Bristol, where his popular show 'Deal or No Deal' was filmed, Edmonds sought a rather unorthodox solution to his daily five-mile commute. His wife, Liz Davies, gifted him a personal black cab, a gesture intended to alleviate the stress of gridlocked roads. What began as a practical family solution quickly evolved into a public spectacle.
The Black Cab and Bus Lane Controversy
Bristol's traffic, much like many other UK cities, can be a formidable challenge for commuters. Faced with daily journeys that could stretch to an hour and twenty minutes, Edmonds’ black cab offered a tantalising shortcut. The unspoken, yet widely understood, privilege of a black cab is its ability to use bus lanes, designed to prioritise public transport and keep cities moving. However, this privilege is strictly reserved for licensed taxis and buses, not private vehicles, regardless of their appearance. Edmonds, by his own admission, began to exploit this loophole, using his personal black cab to navigate the bus lanes, dramatically cutting his commute time to a mere twenty minutes.
This practice, while undoubtedly efficient for Edmonds, did not go unnoticed. Pictures of the celebrity driving his distinctive vehicle in bus lanes began to circulate in 2009, sparking considerable public debate and raising questions about fairness and adherence to traffic regulations. The sight of a prominent TV personality seemingly bending the rules ignited a minor furore, highlighting the frustrations of everyday commuters stuck in the very traffic Edmonds was expertly bypassing. The controversy eventually prompted Bristol Council to take action, installing cameras on bus lanes across the city, a move Edmonds proudly claimed cost the council a 'huge amount of money' – a testament to the impact of his unique commuting style.
Meet Candice: The Dummy Passenger
As if driving a private black cab in bus lanes wasn't unusual enough, Edmonds added another layer of eccentricity to his daily commute: a fully-clothed mannequin sitting in the back seat. This was Candice, his silent and ever-present passenger. The idea for Candice, surprisingly, originated from Edmonds' wife, Liz, a make-up artist. Her reasoning was pragmatic: to deter unsuspecting members of the public from trying to hail what appeared to be an empty taxi. After all, a black cab with its 'for hire' light off, pulling up at traffic lights, would naturally attract those looking for a ride, particularly in inclement weather.
Candice was more than just a static prop; she was a dynamic character in Edmonds' daily life, evolving over time. Initially, she was pictured with blonde hair and a mobile phone pressed to her ear, a subtle touch designed to enhance the illusion of a real passenger engaged in a conversation. This detail further reinforced the idea that the cab was occupied and not available for hire, cleverly side-stepping potential interactions with hopeful passengers. The public, though accustomed to Edmonds' quirks, found Candice a particularly amusing and bizarre addition to his transport repertoire.
Candice's Makeover: A Touch of Glamour
Candice, it seems, was not immune to the pressures of celebrity life, even as a mannequin. Over time, she underwent a significant transformation, receiving a rather glamorous makeover. This update was noted by onlookers, who observed her new look with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment. Candice reappeared with brunette hair, a stylish fur coat, a new wig, and a large hat that cleverly obscured much of her face. The mobile phone, once a key accessory, had vanished. An onlooker commented, 'Everyone has got used to seeing Noel in his cab. But changing the dummy’s hair colour and her clothes is a bit weird, even for him.' This evolution of Candice only added to the mystique surrounding Edmonds' commute, making his black cab an even more memorable sight on Bristol's roads.
The transformation of Candice, from blonde to brunette, and the change in her attire, further highlighted Edmonds' playful approach to life and his willingness to embrace the unconventional. It also subtly underscored the initial purpose of the mannequin: to create the illusion of occupancy, making the cab less appealing to potential passengers. The constant evolution of Candice kept the public guessing and ensured that Edmonds' commutes remained a topic of light-hearted discussion.
The Reason Behind the Mannequin
Noel Edmonds openly admitted the practical reasons behind Candice's presence in his cab. Speaking on 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!', he confessed, 'I used to have a mannequin in the back called Candice, because when it was wet and I pulled up at the lights people tried to get in.' This simple explanation reveals the everyday challenges faced by someone driving a distinctive vehicle often associated with public transport. The mannequin was a straightforward, albeit peculiar, solution to prevent unwanted interactions and the constant need to explain that his vehicle was not for hire.
Beyond the practicalities of deterring passengers, Edmonds also spoke about the significant time savings his black cab afforded him. He calculated that by using the bus lanes and avoiding traffic, he 'saved five months of my life' when adding up the hours spent commuting each morning and evening. This perspective highlights the value he placed on efficiency and how his unique transport solution contributed to his personal well-being and productivity. The mannequin, therefore, was not just a quirky accessory but a crucial component of his overall strategy to optimise his daily travel.
The Bus Lane Ticket and the Routemaster Solution
The story of Noel Edmonds' black cab saga reached its climax when he eventually received a ticket for his bus lane antics. Despite his initial success in zipping through traffic, the increased surveillance and public scrutiny ultimately led to him being caught. However, true to his eccentric nature, Edmonds' response to the ticket was not to simply abandon his bus lane advantage. Instead, he found an even more audacious and quintessentially British solution: he bought a Routemaster bus.
This move was a testament to Edmonds' ingenuity and his determination to maintain his efficient commute. He famously quipped, 'When I got the ticket, I didn’t take my cab in the bus lane any more. I did what any sane person would do: I bought a Routemaster bus.' The genius of this plan lay in a peculiar loophole: he could drive the Routemaster on a car licence as long as there were no more than nine people on board. This allowed him to continue using bus lanes, albeit in a much larger and even more eye-catching vehicle, turning a potential setback into an even grander statement. It epitomised his willingness to push boundaries and find creative solutions to everyday problems, all while maintaining his unique brand of celebrity.
FAQs About Noel Edmonds' Black Cab
Why did Noel Edmonds use a black cab for his commute?
Noel Edmonds used a personal black cab, gifted by his wife Liz, to avoid heavy traffic in Bristol. It significantly reduced his commute time from over an hour to just 20 minutes to the 'Deal or No Deal' studios.
Did Noel Edmonds drive in bus lanes with his black cab?
Yes, Noel Edmonds confessed to driving his personal black cab in bus lanes to bypass traffic jams. This caused controversy in 2009, leading Bristol Council to install cameras on bus lanes.
Who is Candice?
Candice is the name Noel Edmonds gave to the fully-clothed mannequin he placed in the back of his black cab. She was initially blonde with a phone to her ear and later received a makeover, becoming a brunette with a fur coat and hat.
Why did Noel Edmonds put a dummy in his cab?
Noel Edmonds put Candice in his cab to deter people from trying to hail him as a real taxi driver, especially when he pulled up at traffic lights in wet weather. He estimated it saved him a significant amount of time spent dealing with potential passengers.
What happened when Noel Edmonds got a ticket for using bus lanes?
After receiving a ticket for using bus lanes in his black cab, Noel Edmonds did not revert to conventional commuting. Instead, he bought a Routemaster bus, which he could drive on a car licence as long as there were no more than nine people on board, allowing him to continue using bus lanes.
Was Noel Edmonds' use of the black cab legal?
While a black cab is legally allowed in bus lanes, Noel Edmonds' vehicle was a *private* black cab, not a licensed taxi for hire. Therefore, his use of bus lanes was not in accordance with the regulations for private vehicles, leading to the ticket and the council's installation of cameras.
The Legacy of an Eccentric Commuter
Noel Edmonds' black cab and bus lane exploits, complete with his mannequin companion Candice, form a curious chapter in the annals of celebrity transportation. It's a story that perfectly encapsulates his unique personality: a blend of ingenious problem-solving, a touch of rule-bending, and an undeniable flair for the dramatic. His journey from a congested Bristol commute to a ticketed bus lane user, and finally to the proud owner of a Routemaster, highlights a fascinating approach to navigating the challenges of modern urban life. While not a conventional taxi driver, Edmonds' story is intertwined with the very fabric of UK transport, offering a memorable, if unconventional, lesson in finding alternative routes, even if it means acquiring a whole new vehicle. His legacy is a reminder that sometimes, the most mundane aspects of daily life, like a commute, can become extraordinary in the hands of a true original.
If you want to read more articles similar to Noel Edmonds: The Black Cab, Bus Lanes & Candice, you can visit the Taxis category.