Carr's teacher impressed with Traitors performance

Alan Carr won the first series of BBC One's The Celebrity Traitors

Alan Carr's secondary school drama teacher said he was "very impressed" with his former pupil's performance on The Celebrity Traitors.

The 49-year-old comedian was crowned the winner, with 11.1 million people tuning in to watch the final episode.

Carr grew up in Northampton, going to school at Weston Favell Upper where Harry Bowden taught him.

"The enthusiasm he showed [in lessons], the work that he put in, he was incredibly keen, and it showed it [performing] was something he was probably going to do," said Mr Bowden.

Harry Bowden taught Alan Carr drama during his time in secondary school in Northampton

Carr won £87,500 for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, on the BBC One show.

Through the nine episodes he emerged victorious as a "Traitor", without his fellow contestants realising.

Mr Bowden, who taught Carr between the ages of 13 and 18, admitted he "didn't watch the whole of it" but caught the show's dramatic ending.

"My wife binged it, she was very impressed, as I was at the end," he said.

"I don't know how he got through it, but he did."

'He was great'

The former teacher told BBC Radio Northampton's Annabel Amos that "without question" he could tell Carr was destined for a career involving performing.

"I remember Alan well. He was 'drama' throughout," he said.

Mr Bowden said he had followed the comic's career, saying: "What you see on TV is something he's worked on over years, he's honed it."

Alan Carr met up with Harry Bowden on Michael McIntyre's Big Show earlier this year

Earlier this year the pair had a reunion on Michael McIntyre's Big Show, when Carr described him as "the most amazing teacher ever".

Mr Bowden said after the show they caught up and "had a nice chat".

Carr is set to return in the third series of sitcom Changing Ends based on his childhood in Northampton, where his father Graham was manager of the town's football team.

But for the ex-teacher, it was still Carr's school performances that stood out.

"I remember Animal Farm and I think he played a pig, and Mr Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors - he was great in that," he said.