Amanda Holden is an English media personality, actress, and singer. She is famous for being a judge on the popular ITV talent show, "Britain's Got Talent" since 2007. Taking an interest in acting and musical theatre, her notable role includes playing the lead in the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, earning her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. Likewise, her television credits span various shows, including The Grimleys, Kiss Me Kate, Cutting It, Wild at Heart, and Big Top. In 2020, she ventured into music with her debut studio album, "Songs from My Heart," reaching the top 5 on the UK Albums Chart. She was the British spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021.
British media personality and actress, Amanda Holden is renowned as a judge on ITV's "Britain's Got Talent" since 2007. Co-hosting the national "Heart Breakfast" radio show, she excels in acting with notable roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Grimleys, and Wild at Heart.
Amanda Holden was born on February 16, 1971. She hails from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Amanda Louise Holden is her birth name. She holds British nationality and her ethnicity is British-White. She is the daughter of her mother, Judith Mary Harrison, and her father, Frank Holden. She was raised alongside her younger sister, Debbie.
She spent much of her childhood in Bishop's Waltham, and aged nine she joined Bishop's Waltham Little Theatre Company. For her education, Amanda attended Swanmore Secondary School (Swanmore College) in Hampshire before further pursuing her passion at the "Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts" in Bournemouth.
Amanda Holden's diverse career in television began with her appearance as a contestant on the game show Blind Date in 1991. Notable roles followed, including her portrayal of Sarah Trevanian in three series of ITV's Wild at Heart from 2006 to 2008. Holden showcased her versatility as a cast member in Channel 5's sketch show "We Know Where You Live" in 1997, alongside notable names like Simon Pegg and Sanjeev Baskar. In 1996, she played Pamela in Intimate Relations and appeared as a shoe shop assistant in Virtual Sexuality in 1999. Her television credits expanded to include series like Kiss Me Kate, The Grimleys, and Hearts and Bones.
Holden became a household name as a judge on Britain's Got Talent from 2007 onwards, joining Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli, and Alesha Dixon. Her TV journey also featured hosting roles in programs like A Night of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards, Amanda Holden's Fantasy Lives, and The Door. Additionally, she presented a factual series for ITV called Give a Pet a Home and guest appeared in various shows, including CBBC's The Worst Witch and the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2022. In 2021, she ventured into comedy with The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle, a mockumentary series.
Amanda Holden's involvement in stage musicals has been marked by notable performances. In 2004, she earned a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Thoroughly Modern Millie in London's West End. Holden further showcased her talent as Princess Fiona in the original West End production of Shrek The Musical, starting in May 2011 and earning the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her stage journey continued with a role in the West End revival of Stepping Out in 2016, a performance that led to her reprising the role when the production moved to the Vaudeville Theatre in March 2017.
In April 2019, she took on the role of co-host alongside Jamie Theakston on Heart Breakfast, succeeding Emma Bunton, as the show expanded nationally. Beyond her television ventures, Holden made her mark in the music industry by signing with Virgin EMI Records in 2019. Her debut studio album, "Songs from My Heart," released through Universal Music in 2020, reached the impressive position of number four on the UK Albums Chart.
Holden has also diversified her career, serving as a gossip columnist for the News of the World in July 2009 and featuring in television commercials for Tesco from 2010 to 2012 and Danone Oykos low-fat yoghurt since 2012. She penned her autobiography, "No Holding Back," released in October 2013, which secured a spot on the Sunday Times bestseller list. Further showcasing her versatility, Holden served as the British spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, awarding the UK's 12 jury points to France.
As of 2023, Amanda Holden, the actress, and media personality, has an estimated net worth of $13 million, primarily derived from her thriving entertainment career. With an annual salary exceeding $1 million, she has successfully ventured into additional income streams by marketing her own cosmetics and fragrances to her followers, thus saving significantly on marketing costs while earning hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Currently residing in a luxurious $1 million residence in California, Holden's impressive property spans 5,100 square feet, encompassing three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a game room—a perfect retreat for relaxation and leisure. Her lavish lifestyle is a testament to her successful and multifaceted career.
Amanda Holden, now married to her second husband, Chris Hughes celebrated their marriage on December 10, 2008. Their wedding was held at Babington House, Somerset. Together, they welcomed their first child, daughter Alexa Louise Florence Hughes, in 2006. In 2011, the couple faced the heartbreak of a stillborn son, Theo Hughes, but found joy again with the birth of their third child, daughter Hollie Rose Hughes, in 2012. Currently residing in Surrey, England, Holden leads a fulfilling life with her devoted husband and children.
Prior to her marriage with Chris Hughes, Amanda was married to comedian Les Dennis, with their union commencing in June 1995. However, due to Holden's involvement with actor Neil Morrissey, the couple separated in 2000 and officially divorced in 2003.
Amanda Holden, the stunning actress, has a well-maintained and perfect slim body type. Standing at a height of 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) and weighing 54 kilograms (119 lbs), she possesses an hourglass body shape, reflected in her measurements of 35-24-34 inches. She has a fair complexion with blonde hair and dark brown eyes. She wears a shoe size of 7 (US), a dress size of 4 (US), and a bra size of 32 C. She has got a healthy body as of now.
Having studied musical theatre at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in North London, she has demonstrated her talents in the West End, earning a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her notable role in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Holden's training and experience in musical theatre not only contribute to her discerning judgment on the show but also underscore her versatile and accomplished career in the performing arts.
Amanda Holden, following a brief stint as an extra on the long-running BBC soap EastEnders, pursued a more significant role in the show during the 90s. Seeking a permanent position, she auditioned for the character Tiffany Raymond-Mitchell, only to face disappointment as the role ultimately went to Martine McCutcheon. Despite not securing the part, Holden's attempt at joining the EastEnders cast reflects her early aspirations in the entertainment industry and the competitive nature of the audition process.
Amanda Holden holds the distinction of being the longest-serving judge on Britain's Got Talent, having joined the show since its inaugural season in 2007. Alongside Simon Cowell, she has played a pivotal role in evaluating and offering support to now globally renowned talents such as Diversity, Susan Boyle, and Paul Potts. Her involvement in the film "One Chance," depicting Paul Potts' rise to fame through BGT, even led to a cameo appearance, solidifying her impact on the show's cultural influence.
A committed vegetarian since the age of 13, actress Amanda Holden has been a vocal advocate for animal rights. In 2018, she furthered her activism by posing as a mermaid for PETA, an animal protection and rights organization, aiming to raise awareness about the plight of dolphins, orcas, and other sea animals subjected to captivity. Holden's dedication to vegetarianism aligns with her broader commitment to ethical treatment and the welfare of animals.