Celebrity The Traitors star Alan Carr has had a rocky love life in recent years, with the comedian splitting from his ex-husband Paul Drayton in 2022 and then breaking up with his toyboy boyfriend Callum Heslop
Alan Carr’s romantic life has captured public attention throughout the years. The 49-year-old ranks among Britain’s most cherished comedians and television hosts, presenting everything from the BBC’s Interior Design Masters to Amanda, Alan’s Italian Job, Alan Carr Chattyman, and now appearing on Celebrity The Traitors, making him a recognisable presence on our screens.
Beyond his thriving career, Alan has experienced a turbulent personal life recently, with his three-year marriage collapsing in 2022. Alan had been with his former husband, Paul Drayton, for 13 years before they chose to separate during lockdown.
They never revealed the cause of their break-up, but maintained it was a mutual and ‘amicable’ choice to go their separate ways. Alan revealed in 2022 how his divorce remained very ‘raw’ and his television programme and tour provided healing following the split.
Discussing his Regional Trinket tour on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Alan remarked: “This show had to be rescheduled because of Covid; I just really didn’t want to cancel. My marriage broke down in lockdown. No, it’s fine – people head tilt when you’ve got bad news.”
The couple had married in 2018, with Adele conducting the ceremony. In 2021, Paul underwent treatment and entered rehabilitation after he publicly revealed his alcohol struggle by sharing a photograph of his black eye after a drinking session. He posted the now-removed Instagram image in August 2021 and prompted worry from his followers.
Paul had initially claimed the injury resulted from a disagreement with Alan. Paul subsequently apologised and explained how he sustained the black eye, admitting he had struck himself in the face whilst on a drinking spree.
At the time, Alan issued a statement: “When I arrived back home from Wales, Paul was covered in scratches and bruises from a drinking binge. We are now working together to get the help he needs to get better which is our number one priority right now.”
In early 2023, Alan opened up about his relationship with his former partner following their separation. “I don’t hate him. It takes up too much energy. We have all got to move on,” he said.
He acknowledged that he struggled with dating applications. “People ask if I am doing the apps, but I find it quite triggering,” he revealed, adding with humour: “I used to work at a singles bar in Northampton and I was like the goat who gets lowered in that crate in Jurassic Park.”
Then, in November 2023, the comedian revealed he had discovered love once more when he went ‘Instagram official’ with celebrity hairstylist Callum Heslop, who at the time was 27.
Callum has operated as a celebrity hairstylist for eight years, having collaborated closely with Amanda Holden, Helen Flanagan and Charlotte Dawson, and runs his own salon in Knutsford, Cheshire.
The couple, who had a 20-year age difference, allegedly embarked on a romantic holiday together in the US and were reportedly invited to Adele’s luxurious home in LA for Thanksgiving dinner. An insider told The Sun that Alan and Callum’s relationship began as a friendship before blossoming into romance.
“They have a really nice friendship and that has been the base for a relationship to blossom,” the source revealed. “He meets celebs through his job, so isn’t fazed. It takes a lot to introduce a partner to someone as famous as Adele but she couldn’t have been friendlier,” they added.
However, it is reported that Alan and Callum parted ways in January of last year. Earlier this year, he revealed he was ready to find love again.
Speaking to us earlier this year, he said: “I’m dating, I’m dipping my toe in, but that’s all I’m doing. I won’t do the apps, it has to be a friend of a friend. I’m just going on a few dates but they’re unsuccessful. I mean, I’m never in the country, but I’m ready now for someone… anyone.”
Now, he’s looking for a “chunky rugby player to throw him around” or a “chubby chaser” who had suffered from “low self-esteem.” Speaking at the press night of Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre in London, Alan said: “I look for a rugby boy. I like them big, and chunky – chunky everywhere. If you catch what I’m saying.
“They have a lot of me to throw around, they need a digger or a skip or a winch.”
