On the evening of November 6, 2025, millions of viewers across the United Kingdom tuned in to the dramatic finale of the BBC’s hit reality show, Celebrity Traitors. The stakes were high, the tension palpable, and the outcome nothing short of extraordinary. When the dust settled, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the victor, clutching a prize pot of £87,500. But what happened next moved a nation: Carr announced, live on air, that every penny of his winnings would go to Neuroblastoma UK, a small charity dedicated to combating a rare and devastating childhood cancer.
According to BBC News, the announcement blindsided not just the show’s 11.1 million viewers, but also the charity’s own trustees. Victoria Oldridge, a trustee and daughter of the charity’s founders, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire, “We weren’t privy to that information… When he won and announced the charity, we were absolutely elated.” She recounted how her mother, Janet Oldridge, broke into tears upon hearing the news, describing the family as “flabbergasted.”
Neuroblastoma UK is not a household name. Founded in 1982 by Neville and Janet Oldridge near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the charity was born from heartbreak: the loss of their five-year-old son, Matthew, to neuroblastoma. The illness is rare, affecting about 100 children in the UK each year, most of them under the age of five. Treatments are often aggressive, and the survival rate hovers around 50%. As Victoria Oldridge explained, “The treatment route for the disease was very aggressive and distressing for the child and the family.”
For a small, volunteer-run organization like Neuroblastoma UK, Carr’s donation is transformative. The charity funds research into improved diagnosis, kinder treatments, and, ultimately, a cure. “Alan’s generosity means research, awareness, and hope,” Victoria Oldridge said. But the impact of Carr’s gesture goes beyond the immediate financial boost. The charity’s website reportedly saw a staggering 7,000% increase in traffic after the show aired, as Carr himself shared on the Reel Talk podcast, hosted by Jonathan Ross and his daughter Honey. “No one can spell it, no one knows what it is,” Carr joked, but added, “I’m over the moon.”
Alan Carr’s connection to Neuroblastoma UK began nearly a decade ago, at a charity auction where he purchased a sculpture of his own head (which, according to Victoria Oldridge, now resides in his bathroom). After meeting families affected by the disease, Carr became a patron and has since been, in the words of the charity, a “tireless advocate.” He’s met parents, supported awareness events, and used his public platform to amplify the charity’s mission. “It’s a privilege to support such an amazing children’s cancer charity,” Carr has said in the past.
During the Celebrity Traitors finale, Carr’s emotions were on full display. He later explained, “The charity is so close to my heart that it all became a bit too much. Hopefully, when people see how upset I was, they won’t feel so bad that I killed all those national treasures,” he teased, referencing his role as a ‘Traitor’ on the show. But the gravity of the moment was clear: “Neuroblastoma is such a cruel disease, and this money will literally save lives.”
Other contestants on the show also played for worthy causes, as the BBC revealed in a press release. Cat Burns represented the National Autistic Society, Jonathan Ross played for Cancer Research UK, and finalists David Olusoga, Joe Marler, and Nick Mohammed supported Bristol Dog Action Welfare Group Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue, CALM, and Blood Cancer UK, respectively. The diversity of causes underscored the show’s unique appeal—fame and competition in service of charity.
But it was Carr’s donation that captured the public’s imagination. Overnight, donations surged, accompanied by heartfelt messages. One supporter wrote, “Thank you Alan for reminding us what being human is all about.” For the Oldridge family, the gesture was more than just financial. “Alan being able to keep the legacy of the charity out there, and the hope of the awareness he was going to be creating for us on the back of this,” Victoria Oldridge said, “It was a range of emotions from glee to emotional.”
Beyond the immediate windfall, the donation is expected to have lasting effects. Neuroblastoma UK plans to allocate the funds toward ongoing research into “kinder treatment” initiatives, aiming to ease the suffering of young patients and their families. The increased visibility, thanks to both Carr’s advocacy and the show’s immense audience, positions the charity to attract further public and institutional support. For families facing the reality of neuroblastoma, this renewed attention is a lifeline—raising awareness of the need for early detection, better treatments, and, above all, hope.
Carr’s experience on Celebrity Traitors was not without its own drama. He admitted on the Reel Talk podcast that the emotional toll was significant, especially as he navigated the game’s betrayals and alliances. “That really hurt for me,” he said, referencing the moment he ‘murdered’ singer Paloma Faith in the game, though he assured listeners their friendship remains strong. Since the show, he joked, people have greeted him with, “Who are you going to murder today?” while he’s out walking his dogs, forcing him to clarify, “I’m in The Traitors.”
The finale’s ripple effects continue. The BBC has confirmed that Celebrity Traitors will return for a second series in 2026, and the surge in audience interest may translate into even more fundraising opportunities for charities like Neuroblastoma UK. For the Oldridge family, the journey that began with personal tragedy has found new momentum and meaning, as they work to honor Matthew’s legacy and expand the charity’s reach with new partnerships and awareness programs inspired by Carr’s involvement.
As the dust settles on this season of Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr’s act of generosity stands as a reminder of what can happen when celebrity, compassion, and community come together. For one small charity—and the children and families it serves—the future suddenly looks a little brighter.
