'Elton John phoned my childhood home' - Alan Carr

Comedian Alan Carr has spoken of the surreal moment Elton John rang his childhood home to sign a football player, upon the release of the second series of his successful ITV sitcom.

Changing Ends details the life of Carr growing up as a "camp boy" in Northampton in the 1980s, while his father Graham goes through the highs and lows of managing the town's football club.

He recalled the moment the music superstar, when he was chairman of Watford, called his dad to enquire about signing Cobblers' midfielder Richard Hill due to his goalscoring success.

Hill's move 50 miles down the M1, however, ended up being short-lived, and he was transferred to Oxford after just a handful of games following a change of manager.

Speaking about the second series, which is being shown on ITV1 following the first season's success on ITVX, Carr said the sitcom was "really personal, it's all about me".

The new series follows a young Alan, played by Oliver Savell, as he navigates secondary school, alongside Northampton Town's quest for promotion.

Speaking to the BBC, Carr said the sitcom was "love letter" to his hometown, where he grew up as "a camp boy" surrounded by the macho world of football.

He explained his father Graham, now 79, had been involved in football "from 16 until 74", and his grandfather was also a footballer.

"Football is in my blood, but I think I've had a transfusion," he joked.

He said it meant school teachers would "think I was brilliant at football" but he was "terrible", while he found his belonging in the arts.

"There is so much material because it was such an odd situation," he said.

The 48-year-old added: "Every episode, obviously it's embroidered, but the truth is in there.

"Elton John, when he was chairman of Watford, did ring the house to get [Northampton Town midfielder] Richard Hill. We did holiday in Great Yarmouth, we did have someone taking knickers off the washing line."

He said the reaction to the show from his family and the town had been really positive.

"I love Northampton - no-one ever mentions Northampton, [but] it's amazing," he said.

Changing Ends can be seen on ITV1 on Saturday nights, or the full series is available to stream on ITVX.

Follow Northamptonshire news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830