Alan Carr and Amanda Holden talk secret to their 20-year friendship – and why she won’t do Celebrity Traitors

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Meeting celebrities in person is often different than you’d expect – they’re often more reserved or less approachable than they seem on TV. But I’m happy to say Amanda Holden and Alan Carr are just as delightful and fun to meet in person as you’d imagine!

I arrived just as they were finishing lunch, and the energy in the room was immediately fantastic. There was a lot of laughter, playful arguing, and everyone talking over each other. It was easy to see why they’re such close friends – their natural connection is what makes their renovation show, currently in its third season (Greek Job), so enjoyable to watch.

Carr explains that he and his co-star have a good relationship, saying he wouldn’t be able to work with someone he didn’t get along with. They’re currently filming in very hot weather, and she’s decorating with things he considers awful – like ugly wallpaper and a disco ball – so they really need to be able to work together. He also admits he doesn’t enjoy wearing the show’s costume.

I enjoy the enjoyable parts of being with her – things like going out, dancing, and creating a cozy atmosphere. But when things get tough or boring, she’s always encouraging, saying, ‘Let’s tackle this together, Alan!’ It’s a really positive dynamic – you wouldn’t get that with someone who’s always negative.

Holden explains that while they’ve been friends for two decades, their bond has really strengthened over the past eight years. He describes his friend as humble and easygoing, with his only real request being the occasional tea break. They understand each other deeply and share a wide range of emotions, from quiet contentment to bursts of energy, fatigue, and joy.

Carr playfully interrupts, causing Holden to burst into one of his characteristic laughs. “There are times when we’re not drinking,” Carr jokes, “though I can’t recall them!”

In each episode, the couple tackles a rundown property and gives it a makeover. Their newest project is located in Corfu, a place Holden loves for its family-friendly atmosphere – perfect for her teenage daughters, Lexie and Holly – and the generous drink sizes at the local bars.

They were immediately discouraged when they saw the house. It was in terrible condition, with walls and ceilings falling apart, and a drainpipe running right through the living room. “We honestly considered just driving away,” Holden admits. They were especially worried because they had family visiting soon and felt like the renovation would be too much to handle. It seemed like an impossible project.

“It was a really positive project, though,” Carr explains. “We built a herb garden and an outdoor barbecue area. This house was the first one with a sea view from the master bedroom – we nicknamed it the Aphrodite Suite – and I used to look out towards Albania, hoping to catch sight of my future husband.”

Amanda has a bold, vibrant style – she loves bright colours and sparkly disco balls. However, renovating her property in Corfu meant dealing with strict building codes, which put a bit of a damper on her more extravagant ideas. She had more creative freedom designing the bathroom, but it was funny when she excitedly showed the builder her vision, only to discover it was a beautiful image created by artificial intelligence, not something actually achievable!

Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job is Romesh Ranganathan’s first TV show since winning Celebrity Traitors last year. Despite the usual rule that celebrities shouldn’t reveal they’re participating beforehand, Alesha Dixon knew she would be filming it.

She explained that she knew he must have been successful because they hadn’t spoken for two weeks – they usually talk every day! She added that he’s been performing for years, so it’s strange to see everyone suddenly acting like they’ve just discovered him. She thinks, ‘He’s always been incredibly talented!’

My daughter, Holly, who’s always been a fan, told me that everyone keeps asking her about Alan. She says she points out that they’ve met him before – he was at their party, and they didn’t seem to care then! He’s always been kind to them, like bringing tea to their bedside or going on vacation with them. But now that he’s become popular with a new generation thanks to TikTok and memes, it’s wonderful to see.

Carr finds it strange being recognized by new fans – whether he’s waiting for a pastry at Greggs or shopping at Lidl – especially considering he rarely talks about his role on ‘The Traitors’. He jokingly suggests casting Amanda Holden in the next season, mostly because it would give him a couple of weeks off from working with her.

She admitted she loved the cloak, saying she’d look just like the woman in the old Scottish Widows commercials if she could add a red lipstick. However, she’d be assigned the role of a ‘Faithful’ – a rather bland part. She joked that no one would remember the ‘Faithfuls’ anyway, and in a few months, people would struggle to recall anyone from the show besides Alan Carr. Ultimately, she couldn’t take the role even if she wanted to, as it would conflict with her commitments to Britain’s Got Talent.

“Well,” says Carr with pursed lips. “A Traitor would say that. Wouldn’t they?”

Authors

Emma Cox

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2026-01-12 20:05