Amanda Holden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amanda Holden
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Holden in 2014
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| Born | 16 February 1971 Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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| Children | 3 |
Amanda Holden (born 16 February 1971) is an English actress, singer, and media star. She is most famous for being a judge on the popular TV talent show Britain's Got Talent since 2007. She also co-hosts the Heart Breakfast radio show every weekday with Jamie Theakston.
Holden first became interested in acting and musicals when she was in school. She has starred in many TV shows, including Wild at Heart and Cutting It. She also played the main character in the stage musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, which earned her a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award, a top prize in British theatre.
In 2020, she released her first music album, Songs from My Heart, which was a big success and reached the top 5 in the UK music charts. She also wrote a bestselling book about her life called No Holding Back.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Amanda Holden was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. She spent a lot of her childhood in a town called Bishop's Waltham. When she was nine, she joined a local theatre group, which sparked her love for performing.
She went to Swanmore College for her secondary school education. Later, she moved to London to study at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, a famous school for acting.
Career Journey
Television Star
Holden's first time on TV was in 1991 as a contestant on the game show Blind Date. Over the years, she acted in many popular British TV shows. From 2006 to 2008, she played Sarah Trevanian in the ITV drama Wild at Heart.
Some of her other well-known acting roles were in the comedies Kiss Me Kate and The Grimleys. She also appeared in episodes of EastEnders and Jonathan Creek.
Britain's Got Talent
Since 2007, Holden has been a judge on the hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent. She sits on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli, where she helps discover new talented performers from across the country.
Presenting and Other Shows
Besides acting and judging, Holden is also a talented TV presenter. She has hosted many shows for ITV, including The Sun Military Awards and the talent competition Superstar.
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She has also filled in as a co-host on the popular morning shows This Morning and Lorraine. In 2015, she presented a show called Give a Pet a Home, which helped find new homes for animals from the RSPCA.
In 2022, she made a special guest appearance in the famous Australian soap opera Neighbours as the character Harriet Wallace.
Stage and Theatre
Holden has a passion for theatre and has starred in several big stage musicals. In 2004, she was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
In 2011, she played Princess Fiona in the original London production of Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For this role, she won a WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award. She also starred in a revival of the play Stepping Out in 2017.
Radio and Music
In 2019, Holden became the co-host of the national Heart Breakfast radio show. Millions of people listen to her and Jamie Theakston every weekday morning.
Following her success, she signed a record deal and released her first album, Songs from My Heart, in 2020. The album was very popular and reached number four on the UK Albums Chart.
Charity Work
Amanda Holden is known for supporting many charities. She is a patron for the charity of Everton F.C., her favourite football team. She has helped raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.
She is a big supporter of animal welfare. She has worked with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and presents the RSPCA's Animal Hero Awards. She has also taken part in campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to promote vegetarianism and protect animals like orcas.
In 2008, she ran the London Marathon to raise money for the Born Free Foundation. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she also raised money to support the National Health Service (NHS).
Personal Life
Amanda was married to comedian Les Dennis from 1995 to 2003.
On 10 December 2008, she married record producer Chris Hughes. Former Formula One driver David Coulthard was the best man at their wedding. The couple has two daughters. They live together in Surrey and also own a cottage in the Cotswolds.
In 2016, Holden appeared on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? to learn about her family history. She discovered that her grandfather was a survivor of the bombing of the ship RMS Lancastria during World War II. She also found out that she has ancestors from France.
See also
In Spanish: Amanda Holden para niños
