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They’re proven to be one of TV’s most beloved duos, even landing their first ever joint BAFTA nomination this week.
And Amanda Holden and her best pal Alan Carr proved they’re embracing the finer things in life as they boarded a private jet back to London from Inverness on Sunday.
The comedian, 49, recently confirmed he had become a baron after splashing out £3.25million on a Traitors-style castle in Scotland.
And Amanda and Alan were seen enjoying a luxury weekend in the Highlands with pals, though this time they were thought to be at Skibo Castle near Dornoch in Sutherland, 200 miles away from the funnyman’s new home.
Skibo Castle is classed as the ultimate in luxury, so there’s no doubt Alan and Amanda would have been pampered on their weekend break.
Alan and Amanda are no strangers to home transformations, having appeared in a series of BBC shows transforming picturesque properties across Europe.
The duo landed a joint nomination for Entertainment Performance for their show, Alan and Amanda’s Spanish Job, at the BAFTA Television Awards this week.
Skibo Castle boasts an 18-hole golf course, equestrian centre, 21 guest rooms, 12 estate lodges and a piper to awaken guests from their slumbers each morning.
The luxury venue has played host to several celebrities, including the wedding of Madonna and Guy Ritchie in 2000 and Robbie Williams’ 30th birthday party in 2004.
Other visitors have included ex-US presidents George Bush senior and Bill Clinton, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, Sir Sean Connery and Mick Jagger.
The castle, owned by Irish-American Ellis Short after acquiring it for £23million in 2003, has been home to private members club, The Carnegie Club, for 30 years.
Alan had previously shared he was inspired to purchase Ayton Castle after his appearance on Celebrity Traitors last year.
The presenter has since revealed he has the rights to the The Barony of Ayton title and is planning on getting his own tartan.
The barony dates back to 1324 and was available to purchase alongside the estate.
Alan spoke to Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson on their Staying Relevant podcast, about his new status.
He said: ‘I’m in my turret era. I want a castle and I’m 50. I’m not going to be around forever. I think 50, I just want to do what I want to do.
‘I’ve always wanted a castle. I’m a baron. I’m going to get my own tartan.’
He also shut down reports he had been outbid as he said: ‘I have bought it. Someone said someone else has bought it but, no, I have.
‘I haven’t been this excited about a project for ages. I’ve got the survey now and I’m waiting for the keys to come.’
Alan, who split from his husband Paul Drayton in 2022 after 13 years, also joked he ‘might get a nice man up there’.
The sprawling estate features a whopping 16 bedrooms, 160 acres of gardens and even its own miniature railway.
And Alan has big plans for the grandiose property, having signed a seven-figure deal with Disney+ to film a series documenting the renovation of the castle into a luxury hotel and spa.
But a meeting to inform residents of his grand plans has been postponed due to the ‘unprecedented’ number of people who were planning on attending.
It was scheduled for earlier this month but had to be cancelled, as Ayton Bowling Club, where it was due to be held, has a maximum capacity of 120 people.
It has been reported residents are concerned the public access to the grounds of the castle could be restricted.
Residents have been told they can submit their queries and grievances about the programme to the community council in the meantime.
Alan first shared his plans to buy his own castle last month, during an appearance on his fellow Celebrity Traitor co-star Jonathan Ross’s chat show.
He said: ‘I’m buying a castle. I’m having a midlife crisis. I want a turret to call me own. I’m in my turret era. I fancy a move and I loved being in The Traitors castle, so I thought, “I’m going to get myself one”.’
The beloved comic added that he was feeling ‘lonely’ ahead of his 50th birthday in June and wanted the castle to become a place people would visit and that he could fill with animals like ‘a big old zoo’.
‘I’m 50 this year – I know I don’t look it – and I just want one. I know it sounds very grand,’ he said. ‘I’m moving from where I am at the minute, I want animals there, I want a community thing.
‘I’m lonely where I am. It’ll be nice, having people come there and have a cream tea. I want people to come in and have donkeys and stuff everywhere.’
‘The estate agent said, “Do you want some Highland cows?” I said, “Yeah, stick them on”. I want to re-introduce wolves. If I’m a landowner I can re-introduce wolves.
‘That’d be nice. Helps the ecosystem… I read somewhere… maybe I’ll have a think about that. I want it to be like a big old zoo, I love it.’
Alan revealed that he will be renovating the centuries-old estate into a workable home, with his efforts set to be documented on his new Disney+ series.
The show, which has the working title Castle Man, is set to take on a similar set up to his hit BBC home renovation series with Amanda Holden and is reportedly being produced by Expectation, the same company responsible for Clarkson’s Farm.
