Alan Carr makes Channel 4 comeback almost a decade after chat show ended for new series with Countdown star
HE shot to fame on Channel 4, now Alan Carr is returning to the place where he became a star hosting Chatty Man.
The comedian, who's gone on to make shows for ITV and the BBC, is going back to his roots to host new show, Secret Genius.
He's teaming up with Countdown words whizz Susie Dent on the project which is a search for the nation's hidden brainboxes.
Talking about the big reveal, Alan said: "I have never ever been called a genius believe it or not, but I am fascinated by those people who do get labelled genius.
"Is it a gift, a curse, or a burden? I am so excited about ’Secret Genius', it’s going to be absolutely fascinating not only finding out what makes these people tick but also challenging stereotypes and prejudices along the way."
Alan, whose last ongoing series with C4 was Chatty Man from 2009 to 2016, can usually be found renovating houses with his old mucker Amanda Holden on the Spanish Job and The Italian Job.
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But as he takes on his new challenge, he's swapped her for a very different kind of partner in the form of lexicographer and etymologist Susie.
She said: "I’m delighted to be part of the search for Britain’s undiscovered geniuses alongside Alan.
The thought of meeting extraordinary individuals—who may have been overlooked in the past or may not realise the full extent of their talents—is hugely exciting."
It's estimated that there are thousands of people in the UK with the brains of a genius, from a variety life and backgrounds. But they may not realise they have a gift.
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Made in consultation with British Mensa, this six part series will see people from each of the four regions of the UK come to take part in immersive and ambitious challenges that will test all aspects of their brain power.
Alan and Susie will explain the tasks and games - no matter how complex and mind-bending- and encourage viewers to play along and find out if they too have what it takes to be a genius.
Alan Carr's career to date
Alan Carr is a household name, but how did the comedian get his start?
- Alan began pursuing a career in stand-up comedy in the early 2000s, moving up to Manchester from Northampton and regularly performing at the city's Comedy Store. He was even named City Life’s Newcomer Of The Year in 2001.
- He then became a regular fixture on the small screen following stints on Jimmy Carr's beloved panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats and the documentary series The Law of the Playground between 2005 to 2006.
- Alan went on to find further fame as the co-host of Channel 4’s The Friday Night Project, which ran from 2006-2009 alongside shamed comic Justin Lee Collins, before going solo and fronting Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong in 2008.
- But it wasn't until he landed his talk show The Chatty Man in 2009 that he officially became a household name. The Channel 4 show was for 16 series and welcomed guests like Denise Van Outen, Amanda Holden, Kim Catrall, Kylie Minogue, and Justin Timberlake. It in 2016 before returning for a Christmas special in 2017.
- Since then, Alan has fronted coverage of some of the UK's biggest events, such as Crufts in 2018 and the Royal Variety Show in 2021, as well as appearing on an episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off and becoming a regular judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.
- He also reunited with fellow comedian Jimmy Carr for 8 Out 10 Cats Does Countdown as a regular team captain.
- Alan now fronts a number of beloved series, including The Italian Job - a renovation show he hosts with Amanda Holden - and Interior Design Masters - a reality competition show that pits amateur designers against each other.
- In 2023, Alan wrote and starred in the autobiographical drama Changing Ends which depicts his young life growing up in Northampton in the 1980s. The series was an instant hit and returned to ITV for a second series in 2024.