She’s been busy this year with her high-profile role as judge on Britain’s Got Talent, filming her travel show with comedy BFF Alan Carr and her radio show. But sources tell Closer that Amanda Holden is about to supercharge her showbiz career.
Our insider reveals, ‘Amanda has decided that next year she's going to really go for it. She feels like she's been sidelined a bit over the years and has taken things as far as she can, so next year, she's determined to command the spotlight.
‘She's quietly grafted over the years but now she's ready to grab the opportunities that are coming her way. The offers are coming in and she feels now is her chance to finally reach TV icon status.’
Amid rumours that she could be returning to present This Morning and eventually replace Cat Deeley, the source says that there could also be more exciting screen opportunities for Amanda, 53, who is excited to see where her career can go.
‘She’s had offers about doing more with her ‘TV husband’ Alan, something like a new chat show with them both, and Amanda certainly wouldn't turn her nose up at that,’ the insider says. ‘And of course there’s This Morning – with bosses still having an eye on her and thinking about the potential there.’
Having had a taste of fronting a travel show, Amanda – who’s mum to daughters Lexi, 18, and Hollie, 12, with music producer husband Chris Hughes – is considering following in Holly Willoughby’s footsteps by hosting a programme such as Bear Hunt, the forthcoming survival show that Holly is presenting with Bear Grylls on Netflix.
‘Amanda’s prepared to step outside her comfort zone to further her career. She loves a challenge and would love to show a different side to her, like Holly did with Bear – something less glamorous than her usual look in her BGT gowns and make up.’
However, the source reveals that Amanda – who made her small screen debut in crime drama In Suspicious Circumstances in 1993, followed by a role in EastEnders – is also keen to return to her acting roots. Before becoming a TV judge, she starred in sitcom Kiss Me Kate and dramas Wild At Heart and Cutting It. Her stage roles include Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical, Stepping Out and Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which she received a nomination for a prestigious Laurence Olivier Award.
‘She’s ready to spread her wings and go further and venture back into one of her biggest loves – acting. People forget that acting and the theatre are her real passion,’ the insider says. ‘She's recently landed herself a role in a whodunnit for a Channel 5 series starring alongside Peter Andre. But that’s just the start of a new push back into acting.’
The insider adds that Amanda – who visited the set of America’s Got Talent last year, sparking speculation that she had her eye on a Hollywood move – has also been in discussions over a move to LA.
‘Amanda would really love to land a movie role. She's been reading scripts and has been in talks for some big projects and is even in talks for potential projects Stateside. Hollywood is calling – and Netflix, she hopes,’ the insider adds.
‘Amanda’s confidence has skyrocketed too since her ‘20s and ‘30s. She's never felt more confident in her own skin. Her belief is that if you graft you’ll finally get where and what you want – and she feels it’s about time.’