Torn Amanda: “She loves her glam life but craves the small things”
As TV insiders reveal she is being lined up for a prominent role hosting This Morning, pals say Amanda Holden is thrilled with her career path but wants to be sure it doesn’t take a toll on her happy family
She’s one of the nation’s bestloved TV hosts, and has even pipped Holly Willoughby to become the
UK’s highest-earning female presenter – reportedly raking in £5m a year with numerous sixfigure deals with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
However, last week Amanda Holden found herself facing a backlash after making her debut on the BBC’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest, as she delivered the votes of the UK’s jury alongside host Graham Norton. Amanda was blasted as “arrogant” and “ignorant” after light-heartedly saying she had no idea what she’d just said after reading “good evening” in French and Dutch from an autocue.
Despite a flurry of angry comments on social media, sources say Amanda is determined to forge ahead with a host of exciting new projects – though she is feeling torn as her snowballing work commitments vie for time spent with her family. Mum-of-two Amanda, who shares daughters Lexi, 15, and Holly, nine, with husband of 12 years, radio producer Chris Hughes, was revealed last week to be lined up for a stint presenting This Morning alongside her I Can See Your Voice co-star Alison Hammond.
RAVE REVIEWS
The pair have been credited for the success of the BBC talent show – which will return for a second series due to its rave reviews – and a source says ITV bosses now want to utilise their increased popularity by putting them on more shows.
An insider says, “The reaction to her Eurovision appearance wasn’t great, but she takes it all in her stride. She’s always fizzing with enthusiasm and it takes more than that to knock her down – especially with so many offers on the table for her at the moment.
“One idea being discussed is for Amanda and Alison to co-host This Morning over the summer when ITV traditionally have more guest presenters, or when Dermot O’Leary, who co-hosts with Alison, is off.
“Amanda would be up for it. She loves the show and adores working with Alison. But one red line for her is Phillip Schofield. Everyone knows they don’t get on so Amanda would only be involved if Phil were on holiday.”
Amanda used to guest host This Morning alongside
Phil while his co-host, Holly Willoughby, was away, but the pair fell out in 2019. Amanda was reportedly furious after losing out on the role to cover for Holly during her stint on
I’m A Celeb!, claiming Phil had blocked the move – which he denied. Amanda confirmed the feud on her radio show, saying Phil had refused her “olive branch” for a chat to talk things through.
Meanwhile, Amanda has also bagged a secret new series on Channel 4, as well as continuing to host her breakfast radio show. But insiders tell Closer that, although she’s “thrilled” with her career trajectory, she’s torn over taking on more work as she fears it risks impinging on her happy home life.
The source says, “Amanda thrives on being so in demand, but she’s aware her extra workload could take its toll on her home and family life.
“She’s loved spending more quality time with them all recently, but with her workload piling up again, she’s feeling some guilt. When she’s away from home, she feels that tug on her heart strings. Luckily, Chris is very supportive and hands-on.”
WORKING AWAY
Amanda recently admitted that, although she wants to “set an example” to her daughters by being a successful career woman and a mum, she struggles to be away from them, saying, “It’s not easy missing their bedtime or having to FaceTime school plays when I’m working away.”
She has also said that “the guilt has started to creep in”, while adding of her husband, “Chris waits up with a cup of peppermint tea for me before I collapse into bed.”
The source adds, “Amanda loves her glamorous life and her kids are so proud of her. But she
craves the small things – she’d rather be at the dinner table with them every night catching up on their day than on set in hair and make-up. That said, she also knows how incredibly lucky she is to have her career and an understanding family.”
And the insider says that despite her fears, Chris has reassured Amanda that they’ll have “plenty of time” in the future to relax.
The source adds, “Chris is her biggest cheerleader, and he can see how much she loves her job as well as her family – he never feels second best, just very proud of her. Despite her fears over missing her family at times, she wants to prove you can have a successful career without having to sacrifice the most important role as a wife and a mum.”
By Daisy McLure
SHE WANTS TO PROVE YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT HAVING TO SACRIFICE