Speaking to the Free Press ahead of his stint in the Wycombe Swan’s Aladdin pantomime this winter, Kay, who lives in Beaconsfield with his wife Tess Daly and two daughters, admitted they’d recently “spent the afternoon” in Wycombe’s new-and-improved Primark at the Eden Shopping Centre and “loved” the in-person retail experience.
The 50-year-old, who moved to Bucks more than 20 years ago, said he loves living here so much that he wouldn’t want other celebs to follow in his footsteps, in the hopes of keeping its pretty countryside and commuter links under lock and key.
And, as well as enjoying all the restaurants and pubs he’s “spoiled with” on his home turf, Kay said he often pops over to Wycombe with the kids and is a big advocate for “using our town centres”, as “if we don’t, they’ll disappear”.
He compared the fall in footfall for retailers in the town to the situation in his childhood home of Bolton – where he’s observed a similar trend of “everything being readily available online and delivered straight away” taking its toll on a once-vibrant high street.
“I think it’s important to support the people and shops that are trying to garner business and get some of it away from Amazon. It’s a really nice thing to go out shopping – it’s still a tradition for us.”
READ MORE: ‘Its popularity has increased’: Bucks town named among most desirable in Britain
While he’s not keen on seeing too many of his showbiz pals down the bar at The Royal Saracen’s Head or, for that matter, his post-pantomime favourite Yates, Kay said he had spoken with fellow TV personality Russell Howard before he relocated to Penn earlier this year.
“I have seen him since the move – we spoke about it quite a bit before he decided,” he said.
“We really enjoy living here. The people are nice, we’re not too far from London and we’ve got great friends around us.
“I think people don’t realise how accessible everything is from Beaconsfield and Buckinghamshire – we’re bang on the M4, we’re just up the road from the M3. It’s a great place to be.”
Aladdin will play at the Wycombe Swan from December 13, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Head to www.wycombeswan.co.uk to book your pantomime tickets today.