Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr says he’s ‘loving’ life in the Scottish Borders after intimate gig
Last updated 6 hours ago
TV funnyman Alan Carr has told Greatest Hits Radio he’s already fallen in love with the Scottish Borders – just days after picking up the keys to his new home at Ayton Castle.
The Chatty Man host performed a special intimate show at MacArts in Galashiels last night (Thursday), to test out new material ahead of his upcoming tour, called “Have I Said Too Much?"
All tickets for the 150-seat venue were snapped up in less than two minutes of going on sale.
It's a major coup for the former church, which has also welcomed famous comedians like Jack Dee and Karen Dunbar, and was recently named Best Small Venue at the Scottish Live Music Awards.
After the show, Carr delighted his audience further by staying behind to sign autographs and pose for photographs with fans.
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video report...
When asked how he's settling in, the Celebrity Traitors winner said: "Love the Borders, love it!
"I've just settled in. I got the keys last Friday, so there's lots of things in boxes. But the people have been lovely.
"I've been getting so much free stuff – and I do love freebies, keep them coming!
"But, for me, it's the beaches. They're all dog-friendly, so I find these cute little beaches and have the best time.
"(The) fish and chips as well; oh my God, I'm going to get even fatter than I am, but I love it!"
Carr revealed that his close friend Amanda Holden had already visited Ayton Castle for his 50th birthday celebrations last weekend, when he was pictured riding a rib in nearby Eyemouth.
His new home boasts 17 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and its own miniature railway.
And the comedian joked that the Britain's Got Talent judge - who he had a hit renovation series with - had just one piece of advice for him.
"She came up to the castle on my birthday and said, 'Don't you put a s* disco ball up!'"
But he added: "I love her - she's a real good friend."
Carr's move is being filmed for a new TV series on Disney+, which is being produced by the same company behind the hit series Clarkson's Farm.
Given the working title Castle Man, locals say the publicity around the show is already helping to raise Berwickshire's profile.
Katrina Reynolds, who runs the Allanton Inn along with her husband William, told us: "It's just fantastic that he's supporting local businesses.
"It's putting Berwickshire and the Borders on the map."
UPDATE: Local leisure operator Live Borders has announced three more intimate shows in the Scottish Borders with the "super spexy" comedian this autumn, under the title 'Alan Carr: Work in Progress' - with ALL tickets selling out within minutes of going on sale this morning. He's appearing at Jedburgh Town Hall, Melrose Corn Exchange and the Heart of Hawick over three weeks in November.
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