Amanda Holden and Alan Carr Interview

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr return with a new series on 5 January!

Following the success of Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job, Alan Carr and Amanda Holden are packing their boiler suits once again after bagging another ‘One Euro’ house – this time, in the sun-kissed hills of Tuscany.

Produced by Voltage TV for BBC One and BBC iPlayer the series will test the duo’s DIY and design skills to the max. As they join forces with a team of local tradespeople, they’ll be renovating a dilapidated historic home complete with a medieval tower that’s in dire need of some TLC.

Alan and Amanda will be embracing local life, exploring the rich culture and throwing themselves headfirst into a new adventure in one of Italy’s most idyllic regions. The warmth and humour of their friendship will once again be in abundance as they face inevitable build hiccups and design dilemmas while aiming to breathe new life into an undiscovered corner of Italy.

The first series proved a big hit with viewers, consolidating at an average audience of 3.9 million across eight episodes, with 1.3M coming via iPlayer, and peaking at 4.6m for the most watched episode.

How did you feel about the huge success of the first series? 

Amanda:  Well, it was a relief because I think for Alan and me, aside from the fact that we came up with the idea, we had interest in it, it felt like a reality show in a lot of ways. People think they know you, but they don’t really know you. I think when you’re under stress, you’re bashing walls down and really being your absolute authentic self, it’s more worrying because you are totally exposed. Then if people don’t like you, that would be upsetting.

Alan:  Also, we didn’t really know what we were making. It was very intense. We were there for months. I mean, one day, it felt like it was Wish You Were Here?, then it felt like Grand Designs, then it was like Love Island! I had a camera on me all the time. I might have had a few Aperol Spritz, and then the camera’s coming in for the close-up in the morning if you’re a bit hungover or you’ve had an emotional night, you know? I’ve never been so scrutinised. So there was a lot, it’s just layer upon layer. People know who I am, but they never, and I think Amanda feels the same, see this side of us. We argued. We bickered.

Amanda:  And we made mistakes, and I think lots of telly now is not about that. On social media and everything else, it’s about everyone having a perfect life. You see all these makeover shows and everything looks fantastic. And then there’s me and Alan, who have got a passion for it and have done bits and bobs, but suddenly we’re on telly, tiling and bashing walls down and making lampshades, and messing a lot of it up! It was just so lovely how everyone embraced it all and accepted us and enjoyed it. And we both said, out of everything we’ve done in our careers, we’ve never had such a huge reaction on the streets as this show. It’s been amazing.

What sort of things have you been saying about the first series?

Alan:  Filming this series, we were in the airport at Pisa, and a couple came over, it was two girls, they said, “We’ve bought a house for a Euro as well. You inspired us!” Then you get sarcastic taxi drivers who’re like, “Here’s a tenner, get me ten houses!”

Amanda:  But the feedback has been amazing, people just loved it, which we’re so proud of.

What is the secret to your friendship?

Amanda:  For Alan, tolerance! I think we both don’t take ourselves seriously, we’re not precious as human beings. We are quite easygoing. I mean, the amount of times this series where Alan’s had to put an umbrella up so I could have a wee in the bushes and he’s shielding me. We looked at each other and went, “Who else do we know would take all this in their stride?”

Alan:  I know. It was a particular low point in that car park, holding up an umbrella, then hearing tinkle, tinkle, tinkle behind the bush! That’s a good friend! I feel with me and Amanda could go to Glastonbury now or go up a mountain. We can do anything together, because it is mad. We found ourselves in really odd situations, because it is quite full on, but I feel we are honest with each other. I don’t think you can fake that. I mean, some of those car journeys, the camera was on us for three hours and we are just talking, talking, talking.

Amanda:  And forgetting there are cameras, which is gold for them. Less for us!

Alan:  I know because we are the worst gossips going on!

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