But he did not take kindly to criticism from @VaunEarl, whose Twitter biography states he has kidney cancer, lymph node metastases and psoriatic arthritis.

@VaunEarl wrote: "This sort of quackery should be illegal if it isn't already," adding: "I think Noel Edmonds should stick to what he's good at. Presenting quiz shows and beard trimming, rather than curing cancer."

Edmonds fired back: "Scientific fact-disease is caused by negative energy. Is it possible your ill health is caused by your negative attitude? £explore."

The iMRS "intelligent wellness" machine claims to improve overall health - and tackle specific ailments - by "pulsed electromagnetic field therapy".

Twitter users lost no time in mocking Edmonds, most of them by posting pictures of alternatives to the device.

But many also pointed out that the post may violate the 1939 Cancer Act, which makes advertising any cancer cure, proven or not, to the public.