Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, had been planning a televised road trip with comedian Alan Carr before the latest allegations regarding her links to Jeffrey Epstein emerged, according to reports. The TV personality, who won last year's Celebrity Traitors, received an invitation from Ferguson for lunch at Royal Lodge earlier this year.
Lunch Meeting at Royal Lodge
According to friends of the pair, they get on "like a house on fire." It is understood that Carr was one of the last visitors to the Windsor Great Park property before Prince Andrew and Ferguson were told to vacate in February, as reported by The Mail on Sunday. The meeting centred on discussions about a potential television programme that had been in development since 2023.
A source said: "Sarah had Alan over for lunch before she left Royal Lodge and said they could make a great partnership for telly, flying around the world together."
Proposed Show Concept
The proposed programme would have seen Ferguson, 66, and Carr, 50, explore peculiar and extraordinary locations across the globe—a concept that is said to have already gained the attention of a production company, with negotiations progressing. During their meal at the 30-room mansion, the duo "actively discussed" their plans for the series.
A source explained: "After lunch, he was ushered into a drawing room to meet Andrew, who had been watching TV on a sofa. He seemed hardly to raise an eyebrow that Alan was there, but Alan's eyes were on stalks."
Plans Collapse After Epstein Scandal
However, plans quickly fell apart shortly after Carr's visit as both Ferguson and Prince Andrew became embroiled in a fresh scandal following additional revelations regarding their connections to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The programme has now been placed on indefinite hold.
A source told The Mail on Sunday: "Alan went to Royal Lodge that day out of curiosity to see the house, though he also wanted to do a deal. It's lucky he didn't take it further because shortly after the meeting, the Yorks were once again in disgrace."
The insider added: "We don't know what Alan makes of the Epstein saga and with Sarah in hiding, the whole idea has run into the sand."
Carr has reportedly maintained no contact with either ex-royal since the latest allegations were made. Ferguson had previously appeared on his 'Life's A Beach' podcast in 2023, and the comedian once attended Prince Andrew's birthday celebration alongside a small gathering of guests. The Express contacted Ferguson and Carr for comment.
