Comedian and television presenter Alan Carr has taken a light-hearted swipe at what he describes as "another slight" from the royal establishment, expressing mock indignation at being overlooked in King Charles' New Year Honours list.
Podcast Banter Turns to Honours Snub
During a recent episode of his wine-themed podcast 'Bottoms Up', which he co-hosts with friend Lee Peart, Carr engaged in humorous banter about the challenges of January. The conversation took an amusing turn when Carr revealed one particular January annoyance that had "p****d" him off.
"Hey, that's another thing that p****d me off about being January," Carr told listeners. "New Year's Honours List; another year, another slight! Surely, I've been in showbiz for 25 years. I do loads for f*****g charity. Nothing. I do this podcast with you."
From MBE to Knighthood: Carr's Ambitious Aspirations
When Peart questioned whether an MBE "comes first" in the honours hierarchy, Carr responded with characteristic humour: "Oh no; skip that. I want knighthood." After Peart suggested one couldn't simply "skip" honours, Carr insisted: "You can! Oh yeah, you fast track, babes. Honestly, I'll fast track."
Peart humorously noted this was "spoken like a true potential knight", to which Carr conceded his comments came from a "true fantasist", acknowledging the playful nature of his complaints.
The 2026 Honours List Highlights
This year's New Year Honours list, released in January 2026, recognised numerous prominent figures including actor Idris Elba and legendary ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. The British honours system, with traditions dating back to the Middle Ages, continues to acknowledge individuals who have "made achievements in public life" and demonstrated exceptional service to the nation.
Carr's humorous take on being excluded follows his recent revelation about accidentally revealing he'd won 'The Celebrity Traitors' after taking a nap. The comedian has been busy filming his new Channel 4 series 'Secret Genius', which began production the day after the reality show finale.
From Traitors to Television
Discussing his post-'Celebrity Traitors' experience, Carr explained the challenge of keeping his victory secret: "Of course, I didn't know I was going to last till the end, so I came down, and I had this secret. I couldn't tell anyone." He maintains that any suggestion he revealed the outcome was "lies", despite a producer claiming otherwise.
His co-star on the new series, 'Countdown' lexicographer Susie Dent, expressed amazement at "how easily Alan can go to sleep on a table", though Carr noted this wasn't typical behaviour for him.
What's Next for Alan Carr
Viewers can next catch Alan Carr on 'Secret Genius', which airs on Channel 4 on Tuesday, February 3, from 10.10pm to 11:10pm. The series promises to showcase Carr's unique comedic talents in a new format, following his successful stint on 'The Celebrity Traitors'.
While Carr's honours list comments were made in jest during podcast banter, they highlight the ongoing public fascination with the British honours system and the sometimes humorous reactions of those who find themselves excluded from royal recognition.
