Alan Carr's Castle Dream: A £3.5 Million Scottish Fortress
Comedian and television personality Alan Carr, best known for winning The Celebrity Traitors, has reportedly invested approximately £3.5 million in acquiring Ayton Castle, a historic 17-bedroom fortress located on the Scottish borders. In an exclusive revelation, Carr dispels rumours that this acquisition is merely a promotional gimmick for his upcoming Disney+ series, Castle Man, asserting it as a heartfelt personal endeavour.
From Property Porn to Castle Ownership
Carr, 49, attributes his castle fascination to his love for property shows, humorously noting, "I watch a lot of property porn. I did go castle shopping on Rightmove. It was on the turret section and I wanted two, three or four." His experience filming The Celebrity Traitors at Andross Castle in the Scottish Highlands ignited a passion for baronial grandeur, leading him to pursue his own castle despite initial reservations. He recalls, "When I put an offer in, I went up the drive and thought 'don't fall in love.' And then I just fell in love with it."
Community Focus and Authentic Intentions
Refuting claims that Disney+ funding motivated the purchase, Carr emphasizes, "No ... I have bought the castle. I am selling up. I am moving up there. It is genuine." He plans to relocate from his bachelor pad in Crouch End, north London, following his 2022 divorce, viewing this move as a life milestone at age 50. Carr aims to transform the castle into a community hub, stating, "I want to do community based things. I want to give something back like with animals. That is what excites me more. I will have fetes, dog shows there; comedy at the castle and the best vegetable competition."
Challenges and Aspirations for Castle Man
As a Category A listed building, Ayton Castle imposes restrictions on alterations, posing challenges for Carr's renovation plans. He hopes to apply interior design skills gained from BBC shows like Amanda & Alan's Greek Job to refurbish the property. Regarding his Disney+ series, Carr seeks authenticity, saying, "I want my show to be authentic, as in this AI world now you don't know what is real or not. We want proper authentic reality." He also humorously reflects on past failures, such as being fired from Celebrity Apprentice, vowing to turn the castle's financial losses into a profitable venture.
A Personal Journey and Legacy
Carr describes the castle purchase as a magical, enchanting, and beautiful endeavour, despite joking about potential debt. He sees this as a pivotal moment, explaining, "I am 50 [this year] and I won't be doing this at 60. It's now or never. It is not a gimmick." With no release date yet for Castle Man, Carr anticipates the show will resonate with audiences, much like his Traitors success, offering a glimpse into his personal life and castle-running adventures.
