After his impressive win on Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr has found himself flooded with job offers, including speculation about replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly as host of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.
At 49, Alan is back with the third series of his beloved comedy Changing Ends but admits uncertainty about stepping into the demanding role of Strictly host. “My name is in the hat,” he says, “and it’s an honour to be considered. It’s like when people linked me to Britain’s Got Talent or The Great British Bake Off—I’m usually on the periphery.”
He adds candidly, “No one’s officially approached me. People are so passionate about Strictly, and considering how nervous I was on Celebrity Traitors, imagine me doing live TV with millions watching!” Yet, Alan’s experience bluffing on The Celebrity Traitors gives him confidence in handling tricky situations. “If someone’s cha-cha-cha isn’t great, I’ve got the poker face!” he jokes.
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The role remains tempting but daunting. “So many offers have come after The Celebrity Traitors, and while I’m flattered, I’m not sure I could do Strictly justice. I don’t want to spoil it for the audience.”
Meanwhile, Alan continues to explore his roots with Changing Ends, a semi-autobiographical sitcom capturing his 1980s Northampton childhood. The new series follows teenage Alan, played by Bafta nominee Oliver Savell, navigating first crushes and everyday teenage challenges. One poignant storyline revolves around young Alan’s infatuation with Jake, a charity shop volunteer.
“I really got into charity shopping,” Alan recalls. “I’d go every Saturday, trying to catch his eye among the posters. I probably smelled awful in my dad’s sheepskin and those old flares. I just wanted to be in love—it still hasn’t happened!”
Reflecting on his personal life, Alan, who divorced his husband Paul Drayton in 2022, jokes about possibly reconnecting with the real-life inspiration behind Jake. “When I went back to Northampton, I saw him at a cash machine. My knees went jelly, but I didn’t say hi. He had his chance!”
The series also pays tribute to Alan’s family. His father Graham was a professional footballer and manager, while his mother Christine became a local celebrity in her own right. Alan fondly remembers quiet tea times with his mum and amusing moments when she was recognized in town as “Alan Carr’s mum – that’s the Traitor’s mum!”
His mother often chides him for how openly camp he is on screen, teasing, “Oh Alan, it wasn’t that obvious you were gay as a child.” Alan laughs, “She still fiercely defends me, saying ‘Don’t pick on my Alan, he likes girls!’ She may not fully get how camp I am, but she loves me.”
The Changing Ends set is an exact replica of his childhood home, recreated in a warehouse in Enfield. “My dad nearly fell down the stairs because he thought the bedroom was upstairs—it’s that identical.”
Looking ahead, Alan is open to continuing Changing Ends but acknowledges the story may be nearing its natural conclusion. “I like the current stage—it’s that awkward puberty period. If viewers want more, I’ll consider writing, but when it moves to my call centre years packing dog food, I might run out of material! It could become a show called The Warehouse!”
Finally, Alan worries that his stellar performance on Celebrity Traitors might make viewers skeptical of his sincerity in Changing Ends. “I want it to feel authentic, but after Traitors, people might not believe a word!”