Alan Carr gets huge career boost as ITV commission second series of new comedy before the first even airs

WORK on shows like Mamma Mia! and Alan & Amanda’s Italian Job has this year taken Alan Carr to Skopelos in Greece, Tuscany in Italy and beyond.

But he’ll soon be back in his native Northampton as I can reveal the Chatty Man has landed a second series of his autobiographical comedy Changing Ends before the first has even aired on ITV1.

Alan’s self-penned saga was based on his own life growing up in the Midlands in the Eighties as the gay son of a fourth division football manager.

It launched on ITVX earlier this year and swiftly became a hit with viewers and critics alike, but is not due to land on ITV1 primetime until early 2024.

But bosses are so thrilled with the reception to Alan’s drama debut, they’ve already ordered round two.

A source said: “It’s very unusual for TV chiefs to green light a second series without fully testing a first but the reception to Changing Ends on ITVX was so overwhelmingly positive, they know they’re on to a winner.”

The six-part second series will again be made by the makers of Gavin & Stacey and Alan Partridge, Baby Cow Productions.

Filming will commence on the second series early next year and is expected to drop on ITVX Summer 2024.

A channel source said: “ITVX is really making its mark for brilliant original scripted comedy and there’s much more to come in 2024.”

Alan always harboured hopes his show, in which he starred as the older version of himself, would run and run.

He told me: “Let’s get it up to me now in the present day!

“I’d love it to become Northampton’s answer to The Crown.”

Speaking exclusively at the launch of the ITVX comedy, Alan revealed that over 450 lads applied for the part of Young Alan - which proved a trial for him too.

He laughed: “Some of them were so rude. You know, kids in fat suits, one with Doritos for teeth going ‘hello I’m Alan Carr’ - really offensive.”