Amanda’s got talent, apparently. Go get ’em, girl
She dreamed a dream… and it came true
To be honest, we always thought Amanda Holden peaked with her TV debut back in 1991 on vintage dating show Blind Date (sadly, she wasn’t picked by would-be suitor Barnaby). But 28 years later, it seems the telly star’s taken her long and varied career to dizzying new heights, after landing herself a £1million record deal with Virgin EMI. And, according to insiders, there’s no limit to Amanda’s ambitions: guys, she’s thinking big. Say hello to the next Susan Boyle.
“Ever since Amanda saw the stratospheric success of Susan on Britain’s Got Talent, she’s wanted to make her own album in the hope of
finding global fame,” says a source close to the 48 year old, who was a judge on the auspicious episode of BGT that saw Subo become an instant star (the Youtube clip currently boasts 238 million views). “Just being in that clip alone got her a guest spot hosting CBS in America. Her dream is to perform on BGT or The X Factor and she’s begging Simon Cowell to make it happen.”
In recent years, Amanda has focused her efforts on TV and radio presenting. But let’s not forget, her roots began in performing. She’s previously starred in TV series Cutting It, Kiss Me Kate and Smack The Pony, before she took to the stage in Thoroughly Modern Millie (inset) and Shrek The Musical. But just like her idol Subo, Amanda had to wait for a Youtube video to go viral before the record execs took notice. Last December, the star posted a video of herself and daughters Lexi, 13, and Holly, seven, singing Tightrope from The Greatest Showman as an anniversary gift to husband Chris Hughes. And while the video may not yet have reached Susan Boylelevels of viral viewing, it’s still racked up an impressive 225k views and counting – prompting a bidding war between leading record companies, before Virgin EMI sealed the deal.
According to our insider, Amanda’s now focused on releasing a hit – and that means taking even more inspiration from the world’s biggest
‘She wants to perform on BGT or The X Factor’
superstar. “She wants to record a similar-sounding album to Susan’s, showing off her vocal talents with a mix of show tunes, cover versions of modern songs and original material,” we’re told. “She knows her market and she’s not going to be chasing a younger crowd. It’s going to be very easy listening – mellow songs that the older audience of BGT will love.
“She’s hoping that it will be the perfect present for someone’s mum or nan, potentially becoming a huge money-spinner. She’s already recorded a rendition of I Dreamed A Dream, but she’s not clear if it will make the final cut.” Rock on, Mandy. Rock on. ■