Comedian Alan Carr, the 49-year-old winner of BBC’s Celebrity Traitors filmed at Ardross Castle in the Highlands, has purchased Ayton Castle in the Scottish Borders for £3.25 million. Disney+ will document the renovations of the property.

The deal includes the 700-year-old Barony of Ayton title and its responsibilities. Ayton village residents worry that Carr’s fame could restrict public access to the expansive estate.

Currently, the fairytale castle and formal grounds open on select days, but the wider lands remain accessible year-round. Locals frequently roam the grounds, visit the tea room, join tours, purchase chopped logs, and attend the annual August arts festival.

Job Loss Concerns Mount

Residents fear potential staff reductions. Online comments show sympathy for castle employees: “You’ll be sadly missed when you go.” Another remarked: “Don’t think Mr C will keep his ‘policies’ so spick and span (unless it becomes his next TV series!).” One response stated: “All gone now I fear!”

A frustrated post added: “Fed up all these [English flag emoji] people just doing what they like here.”

Key positions—stables manager, woodsman, and gardener—carry legal protections from the sale. Carr will also oversee 11 estate rental properties. He appeared in a custom Traitors jumper knitted by contestant Tom Daley.

One resident offers support: “Ayton village has the most friendly residents. You’re in for a wonderful welcome Alan!”

Willa Keswick’s Dramatic Avalanche Escape

Heiress Willa Keswick, 42, a member of the £6 billion Mandarin Oriental hotel dynasty, narrowly avoided disaster during an avalanche in Chamonix, French Alps, last week. A Jeep rushed her group off the slopes moments before the snow surge injured three skiers.

She shared video footage, praising her friends “who find the fun in everything”—even high-stakes rescues.

Sydney Sweeney Showcases Soccer Skills in Portugal

Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney, overlooked in awards for her boxer role in Christy, displayed athletic prowess on a Portuguese football pitch. After Sporting Lisbon’s 3-0 victory over Estoril Praia, she posed with the team’s mascot, Jubas, at the Lisbon stadium.

Dame Mary Berry Stands Firm on Garden Rules

Bake Off icon Dame Mary Berry enforces strict gardening boundaries with husband Paul. When he requested trimming hydrangeas blocking his window view, she replied: “Absolutely not, I told him. If you want to see out of the window, stand up.” She shared the anecdote during a talk for her book My Gardening Life.

Rose Byrne Becomes Instant Twiglets Fan

Australian actress Rose Byrne initially puzzled over a packet of Twiglets from Baftas host Alan Cumming but now raves about them. At the after-party, she declared: “They’re delicious. I must get some more.”

Piers Morgan’s Housekeeper Surpasses Ronaldo in Popularity

Broadcaster Piers Morgan highlighted his Filipina housekeeper Cory’s online fame. His Instagram birthday post for her drew 13 million views and 184,000 likes—far exceeding Cristiano Ronaldo’s 1.4 million views and 102,000 likes from a similar tribute. Morgan noted: “Cory is nine times as big a star as Cristiano and nearly twice as well liked!”