'I won't have any more children... this is obviously what's meant to be': Amanda Holden on why she's not planning to extend her family any more

By Sarah Bull


That's it: Amanda Holden, seen arriving at This Morning today with baby Hollie, says she and husband Chris Hughes won't have any more children

She nearly died after giving birth to daughter Hollie earlier this year, but came through the traumatic experience to welcome a healthy daughter into the world.

But now, Amanda Holden, who is also mother to six-year-old daughter Lexi with husband Chris Hughes, has said she has decided not to have any more children in the future.

Speaking on This Morning today, Amanda told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that she and Chris have spoken about the prospect of further extending their family, and opted against it.

Radiant: Amanda looked in good spirits as she arrived at the television studios cradling her little girl

She said: 'I won't have any more children, that is it. And this is obviously what I am meant to have.'

Amanda also joked: 'When I said to Chris that I wouldn't have any more, he replied, "Well you certainly won't be having any more with me, anyway!" '

While Hollie is now a happy and healthy little baby, her birth in January caused Amanda to hemorrhage, and her heart to stop.


Red hot: Amanda teamed her cute dress with a pair of black tights and boots for her television appearance

New role: Amanda also confirmed on the show that she would be hosting new TV talent show Superstar

Recalling the traumatic birth, Amanda said that the problems began when the doctors discovered that her placenta was attached to her internal scar from her previous Caeseran-section.

However, while the issue is relatively common, things went from bad to worse when doctors attempted to pull out the placenta, without realising that it was attached to her bladder.

And despite the fact that Amanda was put under a general anaesthetic to help her avoid the trauma of the terrifying ordeal, her husband Chris had to cope with the horror of seeing his wife close to death.

She said: 'When the doctors told me that I was going under general anaesthetic, that's when I hemorrhaged.

'Chris said that he remembers everybody's feet covered in blood and that's when they threw him out of the theatre.'

Despite the terrifying birth, Amanda returned to her work on Britain's Got Talent just three weeks after welcoming Hollie into the world.

Asked just how she had managed it, Amanda said: 'I was out of hospital a week after everything happened and I don't quite know how I did it.

'In my mind I'm quite strong and the doctors said it was because I'm quite stubborn and tenacious. And because I've got Lexi you can't hang around in a hospital bed. I don't like sympathy and I don't like being pitied.'

And when Holly and Phillip asked her how she was now, Amanda replied: 'I'm completely fine. Even after all of that, I've been running this week. I think a lot of it is medical science as well as your own mind.'

Amanda also confirmed reports that she will be hosting the new TV talent show Superstar - searching for a leading man for the new Jesus Christ Superstar world tour with Andrew Lloyd Webber - and spoke about the return of Britain's Got Talent this weekend.


source:dailymail

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Take your baby to work day! Amanda Holden shows some skin as she cuddles up to baby Hollie

By Sarah Bull


She might be less than two months old, but Amanda Holden's baby daughter Hollie is already getting used to the spotlight.

Today the little girl accompanied her Britain's Got Talent mother to a sexy magazine photoshoot.

And Amanda was keen to show just how good Hollie was being on the set, tweeting a picture of herself cuddling up to her baby.

Take your baby to work day! Amanda Holden today tweeted a picture of herself and baby Hollie on the set of a magazine photoshoot

In the shot, Amanda is seen showing some skin as she smiles for the camera with Hollie apparently sleeping on her shoulder.

She accompanied the shot with the caption: 'Hollie keeping Mama company on S magazine shoot. Xxx'

Amanda earlier tweeted a different picture of hairdresser Ben Cooke, who previously looked after Victoria Beckham's 'do, holding the little girl as he put the finishing touches to Amanda's volumised curls.

She wrote: 'At photoshoot for S magazine with @BenCookeHair my hair dresser playing nanny!'

Amanda has certainly been keeping busy in the weeks following Hollie's birth on 23rd January, with her role on the upcoming new series of Britain's Got Talent.

And in a recent interview with ITV.com about how becoming a mother again has affected her role on the show, Amanda admitted she has been struggling with her emotions.

She said: 'I never get bored of BGT. It’s the best job in the world and this year is going to be more brilliant and barmy than ever before.

'I’m looking for acts that will give me goose bumps. I’ve recently given birth so audiences can expect plenty of waterworks and impassioned speeches from me!'


Sitting pretty: Amanda dons a stunning blue ruffled gown in the trailer for the new series of Britain's Got Talent


New line-up: Amanda will be rejoined on the panel by Simon Cowell, as well as new judges Alesha Dixon and David Walliams



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'I was moments from death': Amanda Holden describes her terrifying ordeal giving birth- after which she lost 13 to 15 litres of blood

By Holly Thomas


Touch and go: Amanda Holden has finally shared the full account of the birth of her daughter Hollie on 23 January, after which she spent three days in intensive care


She has gushed effusively about her joy at the birth of her baby daughter Hollie, who arrived via C-section on 23 January.

However it is no secret that the delivery was a deeply traumatic ordeal for Britain's Got Talent star Amanda Holden, who spent three days in intensive care after a massive hemorrhage which left her 'moments from death'.

Now for the first time, the 41-year-old has described in detail the horrific minutes during which her husband Chris Hughes did not even know whether she was alive or dead.

Amanda flat lined for 40 seconds after losing '13 to 15 litres of blood'.


After undergoing three transfusions in one day, there was no knowing whether her organs would fail due to rejecting the blood.

'As much blood as they were putting in me was going out. It just would not clot,' she told The Sun On Sunday.

'For seven minutes Chris didn't know if I was alive or dead. They literally ran out of my blood group in London. They had them on mopeds coming from everywhere with it.'

Amanda had gone for a routine scan, at which her doctor suggested the baby be delivered early as she was a healthy weight.

The actress says that she thought it was a fantastic idea, the wait would at last be over. However only a few hours later she was under a general anesthetic and bleeding non-stop.

Terrifying: Amanda says that the thing that has hit her hardest is that her husband Chris Hughes imagined how he might break it to their six-year-old daughter Lexi if she had died

'There was a moment where they said I had flat-lined for 40 seconds. My heart stopped and I was literally moments from death. It was touch and go,' she divulged.

'I had something called placenta previa - a low-lying placenta that prevents you from giving birth naturally. I also had placenta accreta - which meant my placenta was stuck to the C-section scar from the two previous births.'

'But everyone at the hospital knew about it and we were prepared for it. We had pints of blood ready- everything was covered for the worst-care scenario.'

Amanda caught just a glimpse of Hollie before she hemorrhaged and was put under general anesthetic.

Took a risk: After undergoing three transfusions in one day, there was no knowing whether her organs would fail due to rejecting the blood

'I delivered her and I saw her cry. I thought "this is totally amazing". It was everything I had dared to dream of. Then they very calmly said there's a lot of bleeding so we're putting you under general anesthetic,' she revealed.

'They said they needed to get some blood into me. No-one was panicking, I felt calm.
Chris was there and one of the midwives too. I felt myself slipping... I've only fainted once in my life and it felt like that.'

Amanda's midwife later told her that she wasn't sure what blood group she was anymore as they'd put so much in her.

Unrecognisible: Chris says that Amanda's shrunken face looked like 'Frankenstein's monster' as 'gallons' of her blood spilled to the floor

In the end Amanda says doctors gave her 'special fake medical blood', as that was what her body accepted.

Amanda didn't comprehend until much later what had been happening while she was under the general anesthetic.

Chris has said that he heard a 'splash' sound as he watched Amanda lose what looked like gallons of blood, as though a bucket of water had been knocked over the floor.

He describes it as 'like a scene from a horror movie', adding that Amanda's shrunken face looked like that of Frankenstein's monster.

Back at work: Simon Cowell greets Amanda Holden with a giant teddy on her return to Britain's Got Talent

Amanda credits the generosity of those strangers who gave blood with her life, and can't offer enough praise to those who donate so kindly.

Her condition stabalised at last to the relief of her husband, who had remained nearby the entire time.

Though she was never in any danger, Hollie was kept in a maternity ward with a respirator.

Like most children born via C-section she had mucus on her lungs, however that soon cleared and she was off the respirator within a few hours.

Amanda didn't meet Hollie again for three days, when she was reunited with her new daughter- along with her mother, stepfather, sister and daughter Lexi.

The new mother had been too poorly to meet her baby while she was in intensive care- though Amanda says she was resolute that Lexi not be scared when she saw her looking so unwell.

Doctors were apparently afraid that Amanda might have difficulty bonding with Hollie, however she emphasises that this wasn't the case at all.

'I fell in love with her immediately. I felt like I'd been given this enormous gift at the end of it all. I held her and just thought "We've gone through this together.'' Amanda said.

Amanda admitted it was a while before she was ready to hear the full story of those few days, and preferred initially to remain in the dark.

The Britain's Got Talent judge says the thing that has impacted her most about the traumatic experience is the thought that her husband had to consider how he would have to act if he had lost her.

Amanda says that the concept of him imagining how he might cope if she had died is what has made the most impact on her since.

She says that she already had a tremendous appreciation for life, and is having difficulty making sense of the experience in her head.

Meanwhile, the star is revelling in becoming a parent again, and has returned to her judging duties on Britain's Got Talent.


Stayed strong: Amanda didn't want Lexi to feel afraid when she saw her in hospital looking so unwell



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Amanda Holden 'nearly died' as she gave birth to baby girl Hollie Rose after emergency hospitalisation

By Sara Nathan and Ben Todd


Amanda Holden was recovering in hospital last night after coming close to death while giving birth to her second daughter.

The star – whose son was stillborn last year when she was seven months pregnant – was in a ‘critical condition’ for three days as she battled for life, it emerged yesterday.

Her second daughter, Hollie Rose, was born on Monday by Caesarean section at a London hospital. The baby weighed in at 6lb 1oz and is ‘healthy’, although she has been placed in a special care unit.

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Baby joy: Amanda Holden has given birth to a little girl named Hollie Rose, her second daughter with husband Chris Hughes

The announcement of the birth was delayed by 40-year-old Miss Holden’s family until her condition had stabilised yesterday afternoon.

A close friend said: ‘Amanda nearly died. It was a life threatening situation. There was a huge loss of blood.’

Miss Holden – who admitted herself to hospital on Monday morning – is expected to make a full recovery. The exact details of what caused her huge loss of blood have not been made public.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge has a history of difficult pregnancies.

When she went into labour with the birth of first child Lexi in 2006, doctors discovered Miss Holden had a low-lying placenta which had blocked the birth canal, making a natural birth impossible. It meant she was forced to have an emergency Caesarean.

'Critical' condition: The 40-year-old presenter is expected to make a full recovery after a difficult few days, her spokesperson said
Hollie’s birth this week is believed to have come a month early.

Last night Miss Holden was still believed to be in intensive care. Friends said they had no idea when she would be discharged from hospital.

Her husband, record company executive Chris Hughes, 38, decided yesterday afternoon that his wife was well enough for their baby’s birth to be announced.

In a statement, a spokesman for the couple said: ‘Hollie Rose Hughes was born on January 23, 2012. She is healthy and weighed in at 6lb 1oz but Amanda has been in a critical condition for the past three days. She is now stable and we expect her to make a full recovery very soon.

‘We thank you for respecting their privacy at this time.’

Miss Holden had planned to have her baby following the first round of auditions for Britain’s Got Talent. However, her dash to hospital on Monday forced her to pull out of filming in Blackpool.

Growing family: Amanda and Chris are already parents to daughter Lexi

It was the star’s fourth pregnancy. She lost a baby just weeks before the BGT finals in 2010, then last February her son was stillborn when she was seven months pregnant.

Doctors were baffled about what went wrong because the baby was described as ‘physically perfect’.

Miss Holden had to be sedated while she came to terms with the death and spent two days in hospital.

She had only made her pregnancy public at six months. Speaking about the ordeal later, she said: ‘It was without doubt the blackest period of my life. You never think that it might happen to you. I was an absolute mess. Poor Chris was too but he was amazing.’

Miss Holden also revealed that she developed a close friendship with a group of midwives who helped her through the shock.

Well wishes: Amanda's BGT co-star Simon Cowell sent a message

She said: ‘They have gone on to become personal friends.

‘They went above and beyond the call of duty, both personally and professionally.’

In August, she announced she was expecting again, admitting she was ‘thrilled and terrified all rolled into one’.

She gave up her role as Princess Fiona in the musical Shrek, but expected to be on BGT alongside Simon Cowell and new judges Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.

She even joked she would make Cowell godfather to the new arrival, saying: ‘He could set up a trust fund with stacks of money in it because it’s a girl – so she’ll need shoes.’

Most of all, Miss Holden said she was thrilled that her daughter Lexi, six, would get her wish of becoming a big sister.

A BGT spokesman said: ‘We extend our congratulations to Amanda and Chris on the birth of Hollie and wish Amanda a speedy recovery.’




source:dailymail

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Pregnant Amanda Holden pulls out of Britain's Got Talent Blackpool auditions as she's admitted to hospital for observation

By Sarah Bull


Hospitalised: Amanda Holden has pulled out of the Blackpool auditions for Britian's Got Talent today as she is under observation at hospital in London

Amanda Holden was taken to hospital today after signs that she was going into labour.

The 40-year-old star, who is believed to be over eight months pregnant, pulled out of the Blackpool auditions of Britain's Got Talent and was admitted to hospital in London after she began suffering pains, it has been reported.

The mother-of-one is now 'under observation' at the hospital, according to a spokesperson for the actress.


Holden had been due to join fellow judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams at a luxurious hotel in Lytham St Annes this morning before the auditions, but was instead taken to an obstectrics unit.

It is believed that plans for filming the auditions in Blackpool were rejigged once the actress was taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for Britain's Got Talent confirmed that the Blackpool auditions would be going ahead today with just the three judges.

Continuing as normal: The Blackpool auditions will be going ahead today with the three other judges, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and David Walliams

Amanda, who suffered the tragedy of having a son stillborn last year, was seen over the weekend looking happy and relaxed as she attended the Manchester auditions for the show on Sunday.

The actress donned a tight minidress and sky-high heels as she left her hotel to make her way to the auditions.

But after criticism that she shouldn't have been wearing heels at such a late stage of pregnancy, Amanda took to her Twitter page to defend herself.

She wrote: 'I walk less than 25metres a day in heels whilst up the duff!#justsaying!'

Meanwhile, Britain's Got Talent presenter Declan Donnelly said he would be up for the challenge of delivering Amanda's baby if she went into labour on the show.

He said: 'We've done everything else on this show - we've had animals, we've had kids - so delivering a baby is just another day on Britain's Got Talent!'


source:dailymail

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Is that safe? Heavily pregnant Amanda Holden wears massive high heels as she meets her new fellow BGT judge Alesha Dixon

By Alanah Eriksen


Riding high! Britain's Got Talent Amanda Holden donned these towering heels as she met with her new fellow judge Alesha Dixon


She tweeted this week that her pregnant belly was so big she could no longer see feet - but surely she can still feel them?

Just weeks from giving birth, Amanda Holden was spotted with her new fellow Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, donning a pair of towering heels.

The massive black shoes must have been at least six inches high.


But the 40-year-old, who is about eight months pregnant, walked with ease as she chatted happily with Alesha, 33, at the The Wolseley restaurant in London.

She paired the heels with a trilby hat beige coat, black skinny jeans and a leopard print top.


No rivalry then? The paired seemed at ease with each other, chatting happily outside The Wolsely restaurant in London

Opting for flats: Amanda trumped Alesha in the fashion stakes

Amanda, who is already a mother two five-year-old daughter Lexi, joked this week: 'Never really been fond of my toes (Walls cocktail sausages-Chris thinks they look like) but I am missing seeing them every day!Bump is big!'

Despite her new co-star being seven years younger, she won in the glamour stakes, with Alesha opting for safe ballet flats.

The former Mis-teeq star also wore black skinny jeans, which she paired with a grey leather jacket.


Not long to go! Amanda showed off her burgeoning bump in a tight leopard-print top which she paired with a beige jacket and a trilby hat

How are you still standing! Amanda tweeted this week that she was missing seeing her toes because her bump was so big

Alesha, who has recently been signed to join the panel of the ITV1 talent show along with comedian David Walliams.

She controversially left BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, apparently lured by Simon Cowell with a £350,000 paycheck.



source:dailymail

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Pregnant Amanda Holden left 'shaken' after car accident but she and unborn baby are 'fine'

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

Doing fine: Pregnant Amanda Holden is recovering after a car collision with a lorry today

Two weeks after announcing that she is pregnant again, Amanda Holden was taken to hospital yesterday following a road crash.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge – who lost an unborn child earlier this year – was driving when her car collided with a lorry.

Another driver took her to hospital where she was treated for cuts and bruises. Doctors told the three-months-pregnant star that the baby was ‘fine’.

Although she missed last night’s performance as Princess Fiona in the West End musical Shrek, she was hopeful of returning to the role tonight.

A source told the Sun: 'She was terrified the impact and the shock could have harmed her unborn child and left her third miscarriage in 18 months.

'She knew she had to get to hospital as soon as possible. She feels she's had an incredibly lucky escape.'


Understudy needed: Amanda, who plays Princess Fiona in the West End musical version of Shrek, pulled out of tonight's performance after the accident


Miss Holden, 40, was seven months pregnant when she lost her unborn son in February.
She and her husband Chris Hughes, 38, also went through the ordeal of a miscarriage the previous year.

Last month she announced that she was expecting a girl and said she was certain there would be no tragedy this time.

‘I just know everything is going to be fine,’ she said. ‘Even Chris, who usually says “I hope so” when I ask for reassurance, now says, “I know so”.’

Miss Holden, who lives in Twickenham, south-west London, was en route to collect her daughter Lexi, five, from school yesterday afternoon when her car collided with the lorry.

A spokesman told the Mail: ‘Amanda was shaken and very concerned following the accident for her baby’s well-being.

However, a Good Samaritan took her to hospital and both she and the baby are fine.’
‘At the moment, she just feels hugely relieved.’


source : dailymail

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'I'm thrilled and overwhelmed': Amanda Holden announces she is three months pregnant with little girl

By Sara Nathan


Thrilled Amanda Holden today revealed that she was pregnant with a baby girl –just months after losing her much-longed for baby son.

The Britain’s Got Talent star was left devastated after suffering a stillbirth at seven-months pregnant in February.

However, the 40-year-old mother-of-one said was ‘thrilled and overwhelmed’ as friends confirmed the news that she was three months pregnant.

Great news: Amanda Holden has today announced she is three months pregnant


Miss Holden, who has a five-year-old daughter called Lexi with her music producer husband Chris Hughes, was just two months away from giving birth when tragedy struck.

The blonde television favourite had only announced the news of her pregnancy the month before, admitting she had kept it under wraps as she had already suffered a harrowing miscarriage in May 2010.

Amanda will be handing over the reins of Princess Fiona to Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, who will join the cast of Shrek The Musical.

Last night, a close friend said: ‘Amanda and Chris are just so, so happy. This is a dream come true.

‘Amanda was adamant they would try again after the tragedy of losing their little boy, and doctors will be keeping an extremely close eye on her. She is under the best possible medical care.

‘They both hope and pray that Lexi will get her wish of becoming a big sister.’

Stepping down: The news means that the actress will step down as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical and will be replaced by Kimberley Walsh


Breaking her silence on the tragedy, Miss Holden had said that she was keen to start trying for another baby as soon as possible.

Speaking in May, she said the family had gone through ‘the worst time of ours lives’, but added: ‘I'm a naturally really optimistic girl and we're not dramatic people. Although what's happened is obviously horrifying, we can go on and have more children.

‘Our future's bright and you have to turn negatives into positives, and try and see everything as a blessing. That's exactly what we've done."

Miss Holden also revealed that she developed a close friendship with a group of midwives who helped her through her ordeal.

Happy mother-to-be: Amanda posted the news to her Twitter page


She told the Mail on Sunday’s You Magazine: ‘They have gone on to become personal friends and they got Chris and me through the worst time of our lives.

‘They went above and beyond the call of duty, both personally and professionally. I cannot thank them enough.’

The star was admitted to hospital just days after filming auditions in Cardiff for ITV talent hit Britain’s Got Talent.

She complained that she had not been able to feel the baby kick for 24 hours.

New role: Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh is set to take over Amanda's role as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical


Doctors were unable to save him but were baffled as to what went wrong, describing him as ‘physically perfect’.

Miss Holden was forced to go under sedation while she came to terms with the shock and spent two days in hospital.

She said: ‘It was without doubt the blackest period of my life.

‘You never think that it might happen to you. I was an absolute mess. Poor Chris was too but he was amazing.’

She is currently starring in West End musical Shrek as Princess Fiona. However, her role will be taken over by Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh on October 3.

New addition: Amanda, seen on holiday with her family in LA earlier this month, is already mother to Lexi who is excited she will be a big sister


The friend added that she would ‘definitely’ be returning to Britain’s Got Talent next year.

Miss Holden tweeted her joy as she wrote: 'Lexi's question of the day(and most days) "Mama when are you going to get a baby in your tummy?"Happy to say TODAY Lexi!Mama is pregnant!Yay'

After well wishers congratulated her on the news Amanda added: 'OMG! Am overwhelmed with all your tweets! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! Am thrilled and terrified all rolled into one!'




source:dailymail

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Amanda Holden shows off the results of her West End workout in a pink bandage dress

By Daily Mail Reporter


In the pink: Amanda Holden shows off her trim figure in a pink Herve Leger bandage dress as she launches the All Seasons hotel brand in the UK in London's Covent Garden


Shrek: The Musical has only been open for a matter of weeks, but it looks like treading the boards has done the world of good for Amanda Holden.

The actress, 40, showed off her trim and toned figure in a super-tight, pale pink Herve Leger bandage dress as she launched a new hotel in London yesterday.

The Britain's Got Talent judge took time out of her West End role as Princess Fiona to promote Accor group's All Seasons Hotels coming to London.


Despite the unseasonably cool and wet weather, Holden kept herself amused by two handsome waiters.

The former Cutting It star looked like she was having a good time as she sipped champagne and was attended to by the good-looking pair.

Writing on her Twitter today, she enthused: 'On my way to Covent Garden to be served by waiters! For Accor Hotels!! What a lovely way to spend the morning!'


'Hmmmm, he's pretty': Holden finds herself understandably distracted by one of the handsome waiters


Bringing sexy back: Holden's West End performances are paying off
She also posted a photo of her with the waiters, gushing: 'This is how my morning started.'


Following the final of Britain's Got Talent earlier this month, Holden has been keeping busy treading the boards every night at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Earlier this week, she joined her co-stars at Somerset House to celebrate official opening night.

Shrek The Musical follows on from the blockbuster DreamWorks films about Shrek, a grumpy, smelly ogre, who is hiding a heart of gold.

It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it: Holden looks in her element as she quaffs champagne along the waiters


The musical focuses on the story from the first film in which the hermit Shrek (Nigel Lindsay) is forced to face the world when the evil Lord Farquaad (Nigel Harman) exiles ‘freak’ fairy tale characters from his city and sends them to live in Shrek’s swamp.

The production has been met with mostly

The Mail's Quentin Letts wrote: 'Miss Holden’s voice is little stronger than a single gin and tonic but she has an attractive zest for the enterprise...

'Sentiment, beauty and haunting melody are absent. But Shrek is energetically amusing.'


Stuff the champers, I need a hot coffee and a cardigan: The cold and wet weather soon got the better of the actress


source:dailymail

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Princess Charming... Amanda Holden is swamped by the attention at Shrek preview show

By Daily Mail Reporter


Monster reception: Amanda Holden, who plays Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical, poses with fans after the show at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane


After months of preparation and rehearsals, Shrek the Musical has finally hit the stage and a glamorous-looking Amanda Holden is enjoying being the centre of attention.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge, who plays Princess Fiona in the stage version, appeared very happy as she signed autographs and posed with fans in central London.

The 40-year-old was pictured leaving the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane in a shimmering gold and black plunging dress with matching gold heels after the show.


And as well as finding a bevy of youngsters waiting outside the theatre to greet her, Holden also found plenty of adult fans who wanted her autograph.

Previews of the show began on Friday night in London, after the big-budget show closed on Broadway in New York last January,

Despite not establishing itself Stateside, Shrek the Musical has so far drawn in big crowds and hype in the UK.

Critics will be assessing Holden’s performance along with the success of the rest of the cast over the next five weeks, during which a long period of previews will take place.

Now who's the judge? Critics will be assessing Holden's performance over the next five weeks of Shrek previews

It's a fairy tale: Holden, in a shimmering gold and black dress, is besieged by fans outside the theatre


Holden’s on-stage costume is a lot less glamorous than those we are used to seeing her in. She sports a lime green costume after her transformation from a pretty princess to ogress while showing off her singing talents in the musical.

Her delight after the show was clear as she took to Twitter to tweet about the evening, posting: ‘Had an amazing night!! Audience was outta this world!! Horray!!!xx’

Her Britain’s Got Talent co-star David Hasselhoff was apparently in the Shrek audience on Saturday night to support his fellow judge on the talent show.

'Amazing night': Holden tweeted her impression after the show, which opens officially on June 14


Stage frights: Holden as Princess Fiona alongside Nigel Lindsay as Shrek on stage at the Theatre Royal


Amanda tweeted: ‘OMG!! The Hoff was in Shrek today!! So Sweet! He loved it!! No buzzers! Xx’

Holden is set to be extremely busy this summer as she continues her final duties as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, while also playing Princess Fiona in the West End.

She stars alongside Nigel Lindsay, who plays Shrek, Richard Blackwood, who stars as Donkey and former EastEnders star Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad.

After a series of previews, the show will officially open on June 14 and Holden recently revealed her daughter’s excitement to see the full production.

She said: ‘Lexi’s been watching me tap-dance in the kitchen. She’s dying to see the full show.’



source:dailymail

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Amanda Holden looks youthful in minimal make-up after rehearsals for Shrek the Musical

By Sarah Fitzmaurice


Princess Prep: A fresh-faced Amanda Holden was spotted leaving the Theatre Royal Drury Lane after rehearsing for Shrek the Musical


As a judge on Britain’s Got Talent we are used to seeing Amanda Holden with a face of professionally-done makeup to ensure she is looking picture perfect for those close-up shots.

But as she proved yesterday the 40-year-old looks just as good fresh-faced as she stepped out with minimal makeup to attended rehearsals.

As Amanda emerged from the Theatre Royal after practicing her role for Shrek the Musical she showed off her youthful looks.


The actress was dressed casually in a pair of white jeans and a gold vest covered with a cream kaftan and sheepskin lined boots.

Her hair which is usually seen coiffed into a sleek bob was seen with natural curls falling around her face.

Amanda was carrying a brown satchel and a Mickey Mouse printed London bag from the Disney store as she got into her car to be driven home.

Minimal makeup: Amanda, 40, looked youthful as she got into her car to head home after the practice. The actress will appear as Princess Fiona in previews of the show tomorrow


She later tweeted that the run-though with the orchestra ‘went really well’ and is ready for more rehearsals today ahead of the previews tomorrow.

The BGT judge will be bringing the character of Princess Fiona, voiced by Cameron Diaz in the animated films, to life on stage in the West End show.

Miss Holden will tread the boards alongside Nigel Lindsay as grumpy ogre Shrek, Richard Blackwood as his sidekick Donkey and Nigel Harman as the villainous Lord Farquaard.

From judge to Princess: Amanda will take on the role voiced by Cameron Diaz in the animated films and seen on Britain's Got Talent


The Britain’s Got Talent judge said preparing for the musical ‘has put a smile on my face’ after she lost her baby son seven months into her pregnancy earlier this year.

She also revealed just how excited her five-year-old daughter Lexi was to see the production, which opens officially on June 14, especially as Princess Fiona is her favourite film character.

She said: ‘Lexi’s been watching me tap-dance in the kitchen. She’s dying to see the full show.’



source:dailymail

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How Amanda is still Holden back the years: Is Botox the reason she can cover the Royal Wedding flawlessly?

By Ben Todd


Flawless: Amanda reports for CBS in London yesterday, and Miss Holden pictured in January


When you're broadcasting to the image-obsessed U.S., it pays to look your very best.

And Amanda Holden appeared appropriately blemish free as she worked as a roving reporter covering the Royal Wedding for CBS show Inside Edition.

Although she has admitted using botox in the past, in this instance, her sculpted complexion was the result of nothing more than make-up.


It's the biggest event of the century, with the entire world planning to tune in and watch.

So it's no wonder every single television channel is planning to run coverage of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding tomorrow.

And as well as British presenters hosting the coverage on television channels in the UK, they have also been employed Stateside.

Amanda Holden is one of the personalities who will be cashing in on the big day by presenting coverage in America.

Lady in red: Amanda Holden is leading the Brits hosting US TV coverage of the Royal Wedding

What do you think? Amanda interviewed some avid supporters for CBS show Inside Edition


The 40-year-old presenter was seen interviewing supporters outside Westminster Abbey for CBS show Inside Edition this morning.

Taking to her Twitter page to tell fans about the experience, Amanda wrote: 'Just been interviewing For INSIDE EDITION the lovely ( mad) people who are camping for the best view of Wedding! Fab atmos & What Spirit!! X'

And Amanda isn't the only British personality to have found a role hosting US coverage of the wedding.

Yesterday, Cat Deeley was seen proudly back on her home turf as she shot footage for coverage for CNN alongside her co-presenter Piers Morgan.

Excited: Amanda tweeted she is thoroughly looking forward to tomorrow's big day

Wedding fever: Fearne Cotton interviews wedding guest Ben Fogle


The 34-year-old presenter looked in her element as she ran around the media area across from Buckingham Palace today in a summery outfit of cream blouse and leather shorts.

Piers was spotted interviewing George Michael at the international media studios outside Buckingham Palace, while Fearne Cotton was also present to host her Radio 1 show.

Excitement builds: Phillip Schofield and Ben Fogle pose together during a press conference outside the Palace

Access all area: Piers Morgan (left) and George Michael were both spotted inside the media centre


She interviewed Ben Fogle, who is attending the wedding tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Entertainment network E! have hired X Factor host Dermot O'Leary to assist with their coverage alongside regular anchor Giuliana Rancic for E! News.

Speaking today about the role, Dermot admitted he was less daunted than he would be if he was presenting on BBC or ITV.

What are your thoughts on the wedding? Piers interviewed George inside


He said: 'It’s quite scary, but in a good way. I think it’s interesting, because if the Beeb had asked me to do something or ITV I might not have been able to get my head around it, because I think they’d have wanted something a bit more serious and a bit more po-faced.

'And it’s not that E! aren’t treating it with any good degree of reverence, but at the same time it’s a bit more fun I think.'

Would one like a Coke? Sharon Osbourne stays refreshed in between filming


Dermot also revealed he'll be celebrating the wedding by atteding Prince Harry's
afterparty.

The X Factor host told Absolute Radio host Christian O'Connell he had an 'unofficial invite' to the event of the decade, hosted by the party-loving prince after his brother William's wedding tomorrow.

Royal correspondent: Cat Deeley on location at Buckingham Palace today, where she is reporting for CNN on the Royal wedding


Dermot said: 'I’ve sort of got the unofficial invite to Harry’s do afterwards, which is obviously the party we all want to go to.'

Sharon Osbourne is another big name Brit reporting from London for American audiences. She is fronting coverage for CBS show The Insider with actress Jane Seymour.

Sharon, who went to the same hair salon as Princess Diana says: 'I am so excited to be part of the family to help bring [viewers] the biggest story on both sides of the pond since Princess Diana said 'I do!'

'About two days later I got this wonderful e-mail with four names and the invitation to talk to them about various things.

'I just thought, wouldn't it be great to actually [cover] this with someone and do it properly and actually get the inside scoop!'

Sharon's daughter Kelly will also be involved in coverage from LA, presenting a special edition of the E! channel's Fashion Police.

The Brits aren't the only ones excitedly preparing for the big day.

Stars of major American news networks have been landing in London this week.

CBS News anchor Katie Couric is in town, and excitedly tweeted a picture of her wearing her wedding fascinator this week.

Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters will be leading the ABC network coverage.

Hats off to you: American news anchor Katie Couric excitedly tweeted this picture of her wedding fascinator

Media centre: International networks are cramming into the specially erected stands opposite Buckingham Palace


source:dailymail

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