Television presenter Amanda Holden was overcome with emotion during the filming of a Christmas special, requiring a comforting hug from her close friend and co-star, the comedian Alan Carr.
A Festive Moment Turns Emotional
The heartfelt scene unfolded in Malaga, Spain, where the duo had returned for a one-off Christmas edition of their popular BBC travel series. The pair were attending a festive lights switch-on event when Holden, 54, became visibly moved.
She was first heard declaring, 'I'm going to cry!' before adding, 'I feel like I'm at Disney.' The Britain's Got Talent judge then buried her face in her hands, prompting Carr, 49, to immediately pull her into a supportive embrace.
Alan Carr remarked, 'You love Christmas so much!' while Amanda later described her own reaction as 'so silly'. She continued, explaining the magical atmosphere: 'I love Christmas, I feel like we're in our own Christmas movie.'
Viewers Praise the Pair's Authentic Friendship
The BBC shared a clip of the tender moment on their official Instagram page, where it was swiftly met with an outpouring of affection from fans. One viewer commented, 'Just adore these two. Such friendship and fun. Good souls x.'
Another fan wrote, 'I love the Amanda and Alan shows, really cheer you up,' while a third called the programme a 'happy tonic for us all'. A fourth supporter directly addressed Holden, praising her authenticity: 'Love you @noholdenback!!!! You just keep on being silly. That’s one of the things I love most about you. You’re not afraid to show what you’re feeling.'
From Greek Renovations to Dating Disasters
The famous friends first cemented their bond while filming their travel show, which sees them renovating properties in sunny European locations. Their latest series, Amanda and Alan's Greek Job, featured a project in Corfu.
It was during this Greek adventure that Holden attempted to assist Carr with his dating life, albeit with hilariously naive results. Carr recently revealed that Amanda created a profile for him on a local Greek dating app.
'Amanda put me on a Greek app, but I don't think she realised how much information the gays want!' Carr explained. 'There were sizes, kinks: "Are you a train or a tunnel?" "Are you the letter or the letterbox?"'
He joked about her efforts, saying, 'She went "Alan, I love you to bits, but I've had to guess some of these." I think she was a bit naive and thought they'd be asking about eye colour, but it was quite intimate.'
Carr, who was previously married to Paul Drayton before their split in 2022, confirmed last year that he is back on the dating market. However, he maintains one strict rule: he refuses to use dating apps.
'I'm dating, I'm dipping my toe in, but that's all I'm doing. I won't do the apps, it has to be a friend of a friend,' he stated earlier this year. Sharing his preferences, he quipped, 'I look for a rugby boy. I like them big, and chunky - chunky everywhere.'
Despite his openness to love, the comedian remains cautious about digital dating, asking rhetorically, 'How can I go on Grindr? Do you really want this face popping up on a [dating] app?'
The pair's Christmas special, capturing both the hilarious and heartfelt moments of their Spanish return, is now available for viewers seeking some festive cheer.
