Amanda Holden and Lauren Silverman are joining forces to help Simon Cowell as he struggles to cope amid the return of Britain’s Got Talent.
After 17 years on our screens, Simon, 64, is panicking as viewing figures for the launch on 20 April peaked at just 5.8 million viewers – compared to the 13.36 million it pulled in during its heyday.
An insider tells Closer, “Simon is pinning his hopes on this year’s series. The show’s success means so much to him and he takes it very personally if it doesn’t do well – he will do everything to keep it on air. In the US, America’s Got Talent regularly pulls in over 10 million viewers, and that is Simon’s target for this year’s BGT.
“As the live shows loom, he’s not sleeping and is in a constant state of worry. He fears the show has lost its shine.”
But Simon’s good pal and co-judge on the show, Amanda, 53, has been on hand to help reassure him – with the help of his fiancée Lauren, 46.
“Amanda has been regularly checking in on Simon with late-night phone calls. Simon has always trusted Amanda’s judgement and together with Lauren, the pair are determined to ensure Simon is fit and ready, and feeling more confident for the live shows in June,” the source explains.
“Since moving to the Cotswolds recently, Amanda and her family now live just a few miles from Simon and Lauren’s new house. Amanda has remained fiercely loyal to her BGT boss over the years and the two have become very close – especially after her recent spat with Sharon Osbourne.”
As well as falling viewing figures, Simon, who is dad to Eric, 10, is also having to deal with the fact that his former co-star, David Walliams, is suing Freemantle – the production company behind BGT – after he was axed from his £1.5million-a-year role as a judge. In September, the comedian, 52, accused the firm of a data protection breach after a transcript of his conversation in which he referred to an elderly contestant as a “c***” – for which he subsequently apologised – during a break from filming was made public.
Meanwhile, David’s replacement, Bruno Tonioli, 68 – who joined the show last year and has known Simon since the 1980s – is, like Amanda, keen to support his friend and boss.
“Bruno knew Simon when he had long hair down to his shoulders,” our source says. “The thing about Simon is everyone thinks he has always had it easy, but he hasn’t, and Bruno remembers when he lost everything and had to go back home and live with his parents. Simon has worked very hard to get where he is today and Bruno admires that. He calls him a fighter and a very loyal friend.”
With the live shows due to start in just a few weeks, Simon has a lot riding on its success, with our source adding, “Simon believes that this series will be the best ever – and ratings will go through the roof. He’s determined to turn it around and remind the public why they loved the show so much when it was at the height of its popularity.
“And Amanda and Lauren will be with him every step of the way.”