Comedian and Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr has opened up in a remarkably honest conversation about the lasting impact of his divorce, revealing he has been 'walked over' in the past and now struggles to trust anyone.
A Candid Chat in the Greek Sun
The heartfelt discussion took place while Carr, 49, was filming the BBC series Amanda & Alan's Greek Job with his friend and media personality Amanda Holden, 54. During a break, the pair were seen sipping Aperol Spritz cocktails and reflecting on how quickly life moves, a conversation that naturally turned to their shared experience of going through a divorce.
Holden began by admitting she had made 'bad decisions' in the past, noting they had both endured a lot. In response, Carr delved into his own past relationships, though he did not mention his ex-husband, comedian Paul Drayton, by name.
'I've Been Walked Over'
Reflecting on his experiences, Carr stated his issue was less about decisions and more about self-worth. 'Knowing your worth and the amount of times I’ve been walked over and people have demeaned me,' he explained to Holden.
He expressed regret over not being more assertive in the past. 'There’s times that I wish I’d said, "no", I wish I’d been a bit bolder and a bit… stronger. Yeah, a bit stronger,' the comedian confessed.
The Lingering Issue of Trust
The conversation then turned to the future, where Carr identified a significant personal hurdle. He confided in Holden that trust is now his biggest struggle when it comes to the prospect of meeting someone new.
'I don’t really trust anyone, really. That’s the trouble. I think that is my main thing. But, yeah, it’s just getting out there and trusting, isn’t it?' he said.
Carr was in a relationship with Paul Drayton for 14 years before they married in a 2018 ceremony officiated by singer Adele at her Los Angeles home. However, the marriage ended during the lockdown period, and the pair divorced in 2022.
Their split was announced in a joint statement in January 2022, which described the decision as 'difficult' but 'amicable'. Shortly after, Drayton posted on Instagram to reveal he had proactively checked into rehab for alcoholism, following a 'challenging couple of years'.
This period had included a court case where Drayton pleaded guilty to a drink-driving charge after being found to be four times over the legal limit. A judge at Brighton Magistrates' Court had warned him it was a 'miracle' no one was killed after he reversed into a police car, narrowly missing a mother with a pram.
