YOU’D expect Amanda Holden and Alan Carr to do a great job on their latest home renovation series – but now we know just how good it was.
After buying a dilapidated property in Moclin, Southern Spain at a bargain price, they have sold the pad for £225,000.
The impressive sum made by “Casa Alamanda” will be split between two good causes, Comic Relief and BBC Children In Need.
Their endeavours were chronicled in the recent BBC One series Amanda And Alan’s Spanish Job, and there will soon be a Christmas special.
A TV insider said: “After all of their hard work on the property during 2024, they staged a big festive meal for pals inside the villa last December.
“To get us all in the festive spirit they’ll be showing the shindig in the Christmas show this December.
“It’s also a chance to get another look at the property in all its completed glory — and for Alan and Amanda to have a well-deserved gloat at their hard work.”
I revealed last year that they had already filmed the festive special — but that we’d have to wait a year before getting the chance to see it.
In the meantime, we tucked into the main renovation series, which involved Alan and Amanda rebuilding walls and replacing the roof . . . in between shopping for local trinkets and decorations, naturally.
While waiting for the luxurious property to be sold, the villa was so sought after that it was actually rented out for between £1,000 and £2,000 a week.
It’s not the first time the pair have achieved such a good fundraising feat in a sunny climate.
They previously worked similar magic on properties in the Italian Job series, and are about to do the same again next year with their Greek Job, which sees them do up a place in Corfu.
After reviving the Med’s housing market, perhaps they could come home and do the same here.
Tom fans get the needles
THE world of knitting has welcomed a load of new fans – thanks to Tom Daley’s Channel 4 show.
Since the launch of Game Of Wool this month, Google searches for knitting classes have increased by more than 5,000 per cent, according to research by WDW Bingo.
The Olympic diver’s show involves hopefuls competing with their creations, from dog jumpers to Eighties fashion and sofa covers.
Sounds like it’s got viewers hooked.
No Ender the drama
EASTENDERS made a huge splash with The Six “flashforward” body cliffhanger in 2023 – now its flashforwarding an entire episode on New Year’s Day centred on character Max Branning.
Bosses say it will offer a glimpse at “the drama that is set to unfold in 2026 and beyond”.
It’s Rob, Rom and Juliet
WHEREFORE art thou, Romesh Ranganathan?
The comedian takes on Shakespeare with fellow joker Rob Beckett in the return of their Sky Max and NOW series Rob & Romesh Vs.
Taking tips from experienced thespians Martin Freeman and Jessie Buckley, the pair perform Romeo And Juliet at the world-famous Globe theatre in London.
And their acting exploits don’t end there. In an attempt to break Bollywood, they jet off to India in a bid to get a role in a blockbuster film.
Moving on to music, the pair try their hand at Romesh’s first love – hip hop – meeting rapper Raekwon in New York.
They also photograph amazing wildlife in the Sumatran jungle before finishing with a Winter Olympics special featuring ski jumper Eddie The Eagle.
The eighth series of Rob & Romesh Vs starts December 9.
Ricky finds the bright side
THE latest stand-up show from Ricky Gervais poking fun at his own demise will come to life on Netflix.
Mortality will see him at his unfiltered best. It was filmed earlier this year at the London Palladium and the darkly funny special will premiere on the streamer on December 30.
Bids for saucy sitcom
TALKS are hotting up for a sun-soaked series tipped to rival cult comedy Benidorm.
The BBC is working on securing the rights to exciting new sitcom Ketchup.
Based on author Joe Cawley’s bestselling More Ketchup Than Salsa memoirs, it will follow a hapless British couple who attempt to run a bar on the Costa del Sol.
The series has been described as a mix of Benidorm, Cheers and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
Cast members include Pirates Of The Caribbean actor Kevin McNally and Sandra Dickinson, who was in The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy.
Work has begun on a pilot, with shooting for a six-parter scheduled in February.
