Alan Carr's semi-autobiographical sitcom Changing Ends has now premiered on ITVX. The six-part series, which has been written by Alan and Simon Carlyle, focuses on the comedian’s life growing up in Northampton in the 1980s.
The project was first announced by Alan in November 2021 and several young actors auditioned to play the younger version of him. Oliver Savell eventually landed the part and you can read an interview with him below.
Changing Ends has been made by Baby Cow Productions, which was founded by Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan and Henry Normal. The company are behind smash hit comedies such as Gavin & Stacey, The Trip and The Mighty Boosh.
But what’s the plot of Changing Ends, who’s in the cast, how can you watch and what did Young Alan have to say about starring? For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
What’s the plot of Changing Ends?
An official synopsis for Changing Ends from ITV reads: “Graham Carr was a former top-flight professional footballer who was the manager of Northampton Town F.C. when they won the Football League Fourth Division title in 1986-87.
“The East Midlands in Thatcher's Britain however may have been felt very different as seen through the eyes of his son, a young man who feels less Match of the Day and more Miss Marple, more George Michael than Gary Lineker.”
Changing Ends full cast
The series’ full cast is as follows:
Oliver Savell as Young Alan
Alan Carr as Older Alan
Shaun Dooley as Graham Carr
Nancy Sullivan as Christine Carr
Taylor Fay as Gary Carr
Rourke Mooney as Charlie
Gabby Best as Angela
Harry Peacock as Nigel
David Mumeni as Mr Chapman
Michael Socha as Adam
Samantha Baines as Fiona
How can you watch Changing Ends?
Changing Ends premiered on ITVX on Thursday, June 1. It is also due to air on ITV1 at a later date, we'll keep you updated with that, when we know.
There are six episodes in total, each 30 minutes long. The full series has now dropped on ITVX.
What did Young Alan actor Oliver Savell say about being cast?
Oliver, who is represented by Welsh talent agency Mark Jermin Management, spoke to WalesOnline following the series’ release on ITVX. “It’s been such a good week,” he said.
The young actor, who is from Surrey, then described how he came to get the role. “It was an open audition and it was all thanks to Mark (Jermin). No one sent any details about it and I went to his classes and he said, ‘Why don’t you audition for the role?’, so the reason I’ve got this is all down to him.
“I did the audition and I didn’t hear for six months so I thought, okay nothing happened, but then they wanted me to do an actual self tape. Then I got a recall which was face-to-face with Alan and I remember sitting there being really nervous. I could hear his voice from upstairs and I thought, oh my god what if I try to do it and don’t sound anything at all like him? What if I offend one of Britain’s national treasures?
“Alan really put me at ease in the audition and I felt more confident because he was so lovely and warm. He really complimented me on how I did it.”
Oliver recalled one moment on set where he was kicking a football and it hit Alan. He said of this: “He was laughing but I told him that it’s payback because when we were doing the rehearsals, we were playing football and he accidentally kicked the ball in my face!”
Oliver is set to host the award for Best Storyline at the British Soap Awards with Shaun Dooley on Tuesday, June 6. Jane McDonald was announced as host of the ceremony earlier this week - read more about her here.
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