Alan Carr Invests £3.25 Million in Scottish Castle for Disney+ Hotel Project
Comedian Alan Carr has made a lavish £3.25 million purchase of a historic castle in the Scottish Borders, drawing inspiration from his triumphant victory on the first series of Celebrity Traitors. The 49-year-old entertainer, who experienced a significant resurgence in fame following his win on the popular BBC show, has acquired a baroque-style castle that he intends to convert into an upscale hotel and spa facility.
Disney+ Secures Seven-Figure Deal for Castle Renovation Series
Alan Carr revealed to The Sun newspaper that he has signed a substantial seven-figure agreement with streaming giant Disney+ to produce a documentary series chronicling the extensive renovation of Ayton Castle. The sprawling estate boasts an impressive sixteen bedrooms, spans 160 acres of meticulously maintained gardens, and even features its own charming miniature railway system.
The comedian shared his enthusiasm for the ambitious project, stating: 'Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me — I want my very own castle. Since I was a boy in Northampton, I've always dreamt big, and have always been enchanted with the history and romance of a stately home. As I turn 50, I feel it's time, all I want is a turret to call my own — get me over that drawbridge.'
Production Details and Impact on Other Projects
The renovation series, currently operating under the working title Castle Man, is expected to follow a format similar to Carr's successful collaboration with Amanda Holden. Production company Expectation, known for their work on Jeremy Clarkson's popular farming series, has been reportedly secured to oversee the castle renovation project.
This new Disney+ commitment has created scheduling conflicts for Carr's other television ventures. Industry sources indicate that his hit BBC renovation series with Amanda Holden, which previously included successful iterations like The Italian Job, Spanish Job, and Greek Job, will likely take a hiatus this year. The Greek installment particularly excelled, attracting approximately four million viewers per episode as the duo transformed a deteriorating property on Corfu.
An insider explained the scheduling dilemma: 'As time went on both Amanda and Alan’s diaries were filling up with other projects and it soon became impossible to allocate enough filming time this year. It looks like the show will take a hiatus this year while both Amanda and Alan settle on a new destination they both love and can both find enough room in their diaries to accommodate the huge filming commitment. It will be back though!'
Additional Streaming Projects and Tour Commitments
Beyond the castle renovation series, Alan Carr has reportedly secured additional streaming projects that will further occupy his schedule. The Celebrity Traitors champion has landed a role in Amazon Prime Video's The F*** List, a four-part travel series that will feature fellow comedians including Jack Dee, Tom Allen, and Joanne McNally visiting destinations like Iceland, the Canary Islands, and various locations across England and Scotland.
Adding to his packed agenda, Carr has scheduled an extensive stand-up comedy tour that will occupy most of his availability through 2027. This combination of new streaming projects, the castle renovation series, and touring commitments creates a remarkably full professional calendar for the comedian.
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Alan Carr, Amanda Holden, and the BBC for additional comments regarding these scheduling developments and project timelines.
