It’s been quite a year for Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden. She hosted the Royal Variety Performance in November for the very first time, and she completed a lengthy 250-mile cycle from Cornwall to London to raise funds for Global’s Make Some Noise. Putting aside her professional success, 2024 was also the year of some major family milestones. This year, she and husband Chris Hughes, 51, sent their eldest daughter Lexi, 18, off to university and even welcomed a new member into her home— her adorable puppy, Minnie— so, as she tells Closer, a family Christmas has never been more important to her…
How do you spend Christmas Day?
On Christmas, we're super traditional. I'll just be with my family, with my parents. We have everything that you would expect for Christmas. Everyone has their stocking, including the pets. This year is our first Christmas with Minnie, I need to go to Not On The High Streetand get a little one embroidered for her so she'll have one. She’d probably fit in one. And Christmas day is just about everyone coming together. I leave the Elf on the Shelf out, with carrots for the reindeer and mince pies and a drink for Mr and Mrs. Claus.
Will you be cooking the Christmas dinner?
I always do, oh my gosh, yes, it’s my tradition. I have a special recipe for gravy, and it's not traditional, and I have a little something for the chef as well, of course.
What's your favourite Christmas memory from childhood?
I loved Cindy dolls, and my mum and dad couldn’t afford the huge Cindy house which I so wanted. So, my dad made a Swiss cottage by hand and was still making it on Christmas Eve. It was amazing!
What's the best Christmas gift you have ever received?
Anything handmade by my children.
Which of your friends is the best gift giver?
My mother-in-law, she is so thoughtful and creative.
What's your go-to Christmas movie?
The Polar Express, and Miracle on 34th Street.
When do you normally put up your Christmas tree?
Well, there’s no usual time I put up my Christmas tree. When we had lockdown, I was so upset I put it up on 3 November to cheer myself up, but now I’ve pushed that back to mid-November. But it depends, sometimes as soon as Halloween is out of the way it’s Christmas. As soon as Mariah says it’s Christmas, it’s Christmas! I’m very lucky, because I normally have more than one Christmas tree; I like to have a nice posh one as you walk into the house, one in the kitchen, and then one upstairs that the kids do, and then I redo it to make it look nice. And I like to do something on my front door as well – I know it sounds bad, but I love Christmas!
Do you have any secret beauty tips to share?
Lip gloss in all handbags – it’s the law.
This year you had Kylie Minogue as a guest on Heart Breakfast...
What a dream guest! She's gorgeous.
Is there anyone else you'd love to have?
Oh my gosh. I mean, Michael Bublé, I think he might be good around Christmas time. He would be a good snack. Also, he’s really naughty, so I would love to have him on the show.
What's been your highlight of 2024?
It’s been the best year of my career, hosting the Royal Variety Performance and working with Netflix has been amazing.
Do you have New Year's resolutions?
I do not believe in a New Year's resolution, because no one ever really keeps them, and I think we have enough rules in life without putting them on ourselves, so don't bother with those. But start the year in a positive way. On New Year's Day, I will probably be hungover.
What's it been like working for Baylis & Harding this Christmas?
I’ve honestly been so looked after; it’s a family business and you can feel it. When I turned up to film the Christmas advert, I was so well fed and watered and cuddled that you could sense there was a whole family thing going on, and to know that it’s named after the two wonderful grandmothers— Granny Baylis and Granny Harding – of course made me think about my own grandmother. What an amazing thing their grandchildren have started for them.