While Amanda Holden credited Simon Cowell for turning her career around after he made her a judge on Britain’s Got Talent in 2007, she’s decided that now is the time to spread her wings. No longer content to sit in his shadow, we’re told Amanda has set herself up with plenty of new projects this year that could see her crowned the ‘queen of TV’.
A source close to the star said, ‘Amanda is incredibly ambitious and is really, really excited about the opportunities opening up for her in 2025. She is keen to show everyone she can stand on her own two feet and present a successful programme alone. She’s firmly established herself on radio – now she wants to do the same on TV.’
Amanda – who shares daughters Lexi, 19, and Hollie, 13, with husband Chris Hughes, 53 – has garnered plenty of fans from her radio breakfast show. She’s also co-hosted two very successful seasons of BBC show Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job alongside long-time pal Alan Carr, and the twosome are currently treating fans to follow-up Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job. And after recently signing up to host her very own BBC quiz show, The Inner Circle, the former actress believes this could be her chance to show people she’s capable of presenting solo.
Our insider says, ‘Amanda knows a lot of people have – cruelly – said in the past that she only got her job on Britain’s Got Talent because she was mates with Simon.
Amanda’s got a thick skin, but she’s human and it hurts. That’s why she’s determined to prove there are more strings to her bow than just being a judge on a talent show.’
It clearly means a lot to Amanda that the BBC have backed her and given her her own show, and while she’s eager for this new opportunity, it does mean leaving Simon behind and maybe even burning a few bridges.
‘It’s possible this will be her last year on Britain’s Got Talent, even though Simon is desperate for her to stay,’ our source explains. ‘The BBC are really keen to work with Amanda more and she’s delighted about it, but naturally, it means she is going to be working less with ITV. It won’t be easy, but Amanda knows she’s probably going to have to move on if she wants to make the most of what’s on offer.’
Although Simon has given her much support over the years, Amanda knows that if she wants to excel, she needs to put her own career first. We’re told, ‘Simon has been amazing for Amanda. He’s given her so much advice and she knows she owes him a lot. But she also needs to do what’s right for her and for her family, which might mean walking away.’
She’s been keen to branch out from ITV ever since her unsuccessful bid to co-host This Morning back in 2018, when Holly Willoughby took a break to host I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. Allegedly, Phillip Schofield dashed Amanda’s hopes and blocked her from getting the job, a slight she’s never forgiven. ’Amanda doesn’t owe them anything. It’s well known that she was desperate to be the new co-host on This Morning, but she apparently clashed with Phillip, which meant that was never going to happen. The BBC sensed an opening and have offered Amanda work because they know how popular she is with viewers.’
Amanda has also committed to maintaining her ever-youthful looks. The mum of two is a brand ambassador for Revive Collagen, and she’s a fitness fanatic, too, recently posting a bikini selfie to Instagram to show off the results of her hard work. Our insider says, ‘She’s 53 now, but is happier and more confident in her body than she’s ever been. She knows that, in order to take advantage of everything coming her way, she needs to look and feel great – and she works hard to do that.’