Amanda Holden and her best friend Alan Carr have solidified their status as one of television's most cherished partnerships, recently earning their first ever joint BAFTA nomination. This week, the dynamic duo were spotted embracing a life of luxury, boarding a private jet in Inverness for a return flight to London on Sunday.
A Baron's New Domain
The 49-year-old comedian recently confirmed a significant personal milestone, having become a baron after purchasing a lavish, Traitors-style castle in Scotland for £3.25 million. It appears that Amanda, 55, joined Alan for a visit to this impressive new property, which the entertainer plans to feature prominently in an upcoming Disney+ documentary series.
From Spanish Job to Scottish Castle
Alan and Amanda are no strangers to property transformations, having previously starred in a series of BBC programmes that focused on renovating picturesque homes across Europe. Their collaborative efforts have now been recognised with a BAFTA Television Awards nomination in the Entertainment Performance category for their show, Alan and Amanda's Spanish Job.
Alan revealed that his inspiration to acquire such an extravagant estate stemmed from his participation in Celebrity Traitors last year. The presenter has since obtained the rights to the historic Barony of Ayton title, which dates back to 1324, and is even planning to design his own personal tartan.
Turret Era Ambitions
During an appearance on the Staying Relevant podcast with Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson, Alan enthusiastically discussed his new status. "I'm in my turret era. I want a castle and I'm 50. I'm not going to be around forever. I think 50, I just want to do what I want to do," he declared. He firmly dismissed any rumours of being outbid, stating unequivocally, "I have bought it."
The sprawling estate is nothing short of magnificent, boasting sixteen bedrooms, 160 acres of meticulously maintained gardens, and even its own miniature railway. Alan, who separated from his husband Paul Drayton in 2022 after thirteen years together, humorously remarked that he "might get a nice man up there."
Grandiose Plans and Community Concerns
Alan has ambitious visions for the property, having secured a seven-figure deal with Disney+ to film a series documenting its transformation into a luxury hotel and spa. However, a planned community meeting to discuss these grand designs had to be postponed due to an "unprecedented" level of public interest, exceeding the 120-person capacity of the Ayton Bowling Club where it was scheduled.
Local residents have expressed concerns that public access to the castle grounds might become restricted. They have been advised to submit any queries or grievances to the community council while awaiting a rescheduled meeting.
A Castle Filled with Life
Alan first publicly shared his castle-buying aspirations last month on Jonathan Ross' chat show, describing it as part of a "midlife crisis." He expressed a desire to combat feelings of loneliness ahead of his 50th birthday in June by creating a vibrant, welcoming space. "I want people to come there and have a cream tea. I want people to come in and have donkeys and stuff everywhere," he said, envisioning a property teeming with animals, potentially including Highland cows and even wolves to aid the local ecosystem.
The renovation of this centuries-old estate into a functional and fabulous home will be the central focus of his new Disney+ series, tentatively titled Castle Man. The show is expected to follow a format similar to his successful BBC renovation series with Amanda Holden and is reportedly being produced by Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm.
