Traitors winner Alan Carr buys his own Scottish castle near Berwick
Comedian Alan Carr has bought Ayton Castle with plans to document the renovation process.
The TV star’s efforts to transform the Berwickshire estate will feature in Castle Man, a new programme for Disney+.
“It’s great news that Alan Carr has bought Ayton Castle,” said local resident Lizzie Middlemiss at a meeting of Berwick Town Council.
The 17-bedroom baronial-style mansion, set within 160 acres of land and with its own miniature railway, had been on the market for more than £3.25m.
Alan Carr said: "Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me - I want my very own castle.
"Since I was a boy in Northampton, I’ve always dreamt big, and have always been enchanted with the history and romance of a stately home and as I turn 50, I feel it’s my time. All I want is a turret to call my own - get me over that drawbridge!”
Ben Wicks, creative director, entertainment at Expectation and executive producer, added: “What an incredible project: Alan Carr looking to buy a castle befitting his status as comedy royalty and a national treasure, and soon finding himself responsible for the very real, right royal pain of making it all work.
"We’re delighted to be following Alan’s dramatic – and undoubtedly hilarious – journey and doing so with Disney who thankfully have a great deal more history with castles.”
Sean Doyle, vice president, unscripted, Disney+ commented: “When we discovered he was looking to purchase a castle to run, we knew this was a journey we had to follow. Expect Alan in new territory, with all the same riotous entertainment you know and love.”
The castle is one of only two Baronial structures by architect James Gillespie Graham.
Uniquely, the Barony of Ayton, which dates back to 1324, was also available for purchase.
Since 2014, the previous owners had undertaken significant improvements including partial rewiring, re-plumbing and the redecoration of several of the principal rooms.
They have also created a formal garden to the southern front of the house and installed a 10¼-inch gauge 600m railway which winds through part of the grounds and comes with its own platform, ticket office, engine/rolling stock shed and joiner’s shop.