TV presenter and former West Devon resident Noel Edmonds is set to return to the borough, following this week?s announcement he has bought a £1.7-million manor house in South Tawton. Mr Edmonds, who lived in Jacobstowe until he separated from his wife, Helen, has been living in the south of France for the past few months. The presenter, who presents the popular new Channel 4 game show Deal or No Deal, is said to have bought the Grade II Listed Wood Estate so he can be nearer his three daughters, who live with his ex-wife. The estate includes 30 acres of countryside and a 40-room manor house ? though it is said to need extensive restoration work. A spokesman said Mr Edmonds loved Devon and was keen to move back to the area. He said: ?He wanted to be closer to his family. ?He has brought the property to restore it. It is a project for him ? it is not a bachelor pad. ?He wanted to show he is committed to Devon ? he looked at several properties in the area.? Mr Edmonds is deputy Lord Lieutenant of the county and a patron of several Devon charities ? he was also a keen supporter of the campaign to build Okehampton?s new hospital.