Alan Carr may be stepping into one of the most surprising chapters of his life — and insiders say he didn’t walk into it alone. After ending things with 28-year-old toyboy Callum Heslop last year, the beloved comedian has quietly re-entered the dating world… and the person guiding him through the emotional chaos is none other than his longtime best friend, Amanda Holden.
The 48-year-old comic confirmed to MailOnline that he was single following his split from Callum, but admitted he was finally ready to “dip his toe back in.” Still, Alan being Alan, he made it clear there’s one dating method he refuses to touch.
“I won’t do the apps,” he joked to The Mirror. “It has to be a friend of a friend.”
And as it turns out, one of those friends may have already introduced him to someone who’s caught his attention — someone very different from the men he’s dated in the past.
A New Match — Older, Softer, Calmer… and More Alan’s Type Than Ever
According to those close to the comedian, Alan’s latest romantic spark doesn’t come from a gym-honed toyboy or a flashy social media darling. Quite the opposite.
A source revealed:
“He’s older, steadier, grounded — and genuinely good for Alan. People around him say he’s calmer, happier, and more himself when they’re together.”
Those who know the comedian say this new man is miles away from the dramatic relationships Alan has weathered in recent years. Quiet, thoughtful, charming — and apparently the first person in a long time to make Alan forget the heartbreak of his split from ex-husband Paul Drayton, whom he married in 2018 with Adele officiating their wedding.
Alan and Paul officially ended their 13-year relationship in 2022, with Paul later entering rehab. It wasn’t until recently that Alan stopped wearing his wedding ring — a symbolic shift that didn’t go unnoticed by fans.
The Italian Job — And the Love Story That Grew Off Camera
Friends say Alan’s emotional reset started while he was filming his hit renovation series The Italian Job with Amanda. Long days together in rural Italy, lots of heart-to-heart conversations — and the space to breathe after years of turmoil — helped him open up again.
And somewhere in that process, a new connection quietly took root.
Even Alan seems surprised. He’s always joked that his ideal man is “a big rugby lad, chunky everywhere.”
But this time, insiders say, the attraction goes far deeper than looks.
But Here’s the Twist Nobody Saw Coming…
This isn’t just a romance.
This story might have a TV twist attached.
Sources whisper that Alan’s new mystery man has ties to the television world — and one name keeps coming up:
The Celebrity Traitors 2.
One insider teased:
“People will be stunned when they find out who he is. The production team already knows his name — and let’s just say it’s a very interesting match.”
Nothing has been confirmed, but the rumour has already set social media alight, with fans speculating wildly about who the new man could be — and whether viewers might see him on screen sooner than expected.
A New Beginning — And Big Things Ahead
During a recent appearance on stage, Alan joked:
“I’m single again — bloody single — but maybe not for long.”
And behind the humour, friends insist there’s a quiet truth.
In addition to navigating his new romantic chapter, Alan has plenty happening in his professional world:
• His autobiographical sitcom Changing Ends returns to ITV on April 16.
• He and Amanda have already secured their next property for The Italian Job.
But the real storyline everyone is waiting on?
Who is this new man — and is he about to become Britain’s most-talked-about boyfriend?
For now, Alan is keeping his cards close to his chest. But those close to him say this time… it feels different.
