Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr has candidly disclosed that he sought professional mental health support following the conclusion of the intense BBC reality series, describing the experience as becoming "quite stressful." The 49-year-old comedian, who triumphed in the show, secured a substantial £87,500 cash prize for his chosen charity, with the final episode attracting an impressive audience of 15 million viewers.
Post-Show Mental Health Care
As part of the BBC's comprehensive aftercare provisions, Carr was offered access to a dedicated mental health nurse once filming wrapped. He decided to accept this offer, acknowledging that the psychological demands of the series had taken a significant toll. In a recent interview with The Times, Carr explained his decision, stating, "At the end of Celebrity Traitors you have access to a mental health nurse. I thought, I'll go and have a look because it was all getting to be quite stressful."
Charitable Winnings and Work Ethic
Carr generously donated his entire £87,500 winnings to a children's neuroblastoma charity, highlighting his philanthropic commitment. Following the series, he was scheduled to commence work on Channel 4's Secret Genius. During his session with the mental health professional, he was questioned about his work habits, with the nurse asking, "Are you a workaholic? Why don't you think you deserve a day off?" Carr humorously responded, "I do feel like I deserve a day off but I've just been offered so many lovely things."
Humorous Take on Future Projects
Injecting his trademark wit into the conversation, Carr referenced ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, joking that his relentless work schedule is partly motivated by a desire to avoid ever appearing on that show. He quipped, "There will be a time when I can't get any work and I'm in the jungle eating f***ing koala anus." This light-hearted remark underscores the pressures faced by celebrities in the entertainment industry.
Traitors Game Dynamics
On the show, Carr was selected as a Traitor alongside fellow celebrities Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns, ultimately progressing to the final with Cat, Joe Marler, Nick Mohammed, and David Olusoga. The psychological intensity of the game, which involves deception and betrayal, clearly contributed to the stress he experienced.
Other Contestants' Reactions
Elsewhere, fellow Traitors contestant Jack Butler revealed that producers had to intervene to calm him down after he narrowly missed out on the £95,000 cash prize. Butler explained in an interview that he was "absolutely steaming" with anger following a betrayal and was pulled into a separate room by producers to be settled. He reflected, "It's like 10 minutes of anger and then you're like hang on, it's not actually life or death. Honestly, it's such a psychological game."
Strictly Come Dancing Hosting Rumours
In related entertainment news, Carr recently disclosed that he had been offered the prestigious role of co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing alongside Amanda Holden. This followed the departure of longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last December. Carr and Holden, who already co-host a property show on the BBC and demonstrate notable on-screen chemistry, addressed the speculation during an appearance on Jessie and Lennie Ware's podcast Table Manners. When asked if they would present Strictly together, Carr clarified, "No, we said no ages ago."
On-Screen Mishap Goes Viral
While filming their property show, a particular scene featuring Carr went viral after he was captured falling down a waterslide called The Black Hole. Despite co-host Amanda Holden warning him that the slide was "pitch black," Carr tipped out of his rubber ring during the descent, leading to a moment of panic. He recounted the incident, exclaiming, "I tipped out! It tipped me out! I'm not going on anymore. It flipped me up! I hit my face on the thing."
This series of revelations from Alan Carr sheds light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges associated with high-pressure television productions, even for seasoned entertainers. His openness about seeking support highlights the importance of aftercare in the industry, while his charitable actions and continued professional engagements demonstrate his resilience and dedication.
