IN HIS OWN WORDS: Alan Carr

The comedian and chat show host recently took over as the new presenter of Interior Design Masters (8pm, BBC2); here are a few things he’s had to say about his life and TV career…

On growing up in Northamptonshire: ‘There was no gay scene, no nothing growing up. I thought I’d sort of hang around outside hairdressers, seeing where they went. I’d follow them down the street like I was in the Resistance.’ On some of the jobs he had

before turning to stand-up: ‘You name it, I’ve done it. Pet shampooing, call centres, flyering… The worst one was at a CD factory. Somebody would hold my ankles and swing me under a machine that made CDS – cash in hand – and I’d scoop up all the bits of plastic that had fallen on the floor and put them in the bin. I was 12! Only joking.’ On his appearance: ‘I’m a comedian. I can’t get a spray tan. I can’t get a weave. I can’t get my teeth done. Can you imagine if I came out on stage looking really hunky? Comedy doesn’t work like that.’

On being on the judging panel of Rupaul’s Drag Race UK: ‘It’s just nice, for once in my life, to not be the campest one in the room.’ On Interior Design Masters: ‘I was told by the producers that not only was I the presenter, I was also meant to represent the people at home watching, and that I should be brutally honest. Basically, I’ve been employed because I have no filter.’