It’s been four years since she made waves with her debut album, Songs From My Heart, which paid homage to her musical theatre roots.
And now, amid speculation that Amanda Holden could be snapped up for the first celebrity version of The Voice, insiders say that she is itching to release new music and hoped good friend Simon Cowell could help.
A source says, “A couple of years ago Amanda told everyone, including Simon, that she wasn’t going to make another album. But the word is that her husband, Chris Hughes, may have talked her into it. Chris is still in the music business as a producer, so he is in the right place to help her – but Amanda would rather have Simon’s help.”
However, as music tycoon Simon, 64, is preoccupied with his quest to find the “next superstar boyband” for a new Netflix documentary, The Midas Touch, the source explains that there is no leeway for him to aid Amanda in a musical resurgence.
The insider adds, “Simon gave Amanda a helping hand when she wanted to make her first album back in 2020, and it went to No.4 in the UK charts. Now, she is wanting to do another album to rival the likes of Adele. But Simon has said he’s too busy to help – given he is up to his eyes looking for the next One Direction.
“The truth is, Simon would rather work with boybands. Amanda’s said she’s beginning to realise that if she wants to make another record, she’ll have to do it without him.”
Amanda, 53, has enjoyed a versatile and stellar career, with her thespian talent first recognised when she graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in the early ’90s. She progressed to treading the boards on the West End, even receiving a nod for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2004 for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Then, in 2019, the mum of two honed in on her vocal capabilities by signing a recording contract with Virgin EMI Records, dropping Songs From My Heart the following October. It peaked at number four on the UK Albums Charts – beating new offerings from Bon Jovi and Melanie C – and remained in the charts for six weeks. At the time of release, Amanda scored the highest-charting debut album for a British female soloist in 2020. Discussing the achievement, she explained how her husband of 15 years, as well as their two daughters, Alexa, 18, and 12-year-old Hollie, made it even more memorable.
“It was always a big childhood dream of mine to be a singer in the charts,” she told OfficialCharts.com. “To be honest, I thought (still hanging on to my 40s) the opportunity had passed me by. This career moment in my life has honestly been the most thrilling so far. Made all the more special because my husband and children were such a huge part of it too.”
While Amanda has not released any music since, opportunities have never fallen by the wayside. She has been a panellist on Britain’s Got Talent since 2007 – allowing her to build a close bond with head judge Simon – as well as being a radio presenter for five years. She has also clocked up several acting credentials.
Earlier this year, Amanda demonstrated her unwavering loyalty to Simon after his former X Factor colleagues Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne ripped into him on Celebrity Big Brother.
Backing her friend, Amanda said, “I hated seeing certain people in a reality show dissing Simon – he’s the person who’s given them all the chances, given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably would’t have had.”
Now, insiders say that Amanda is considering other options if a singing career doesn’t manifest, namely falling back on her years of judging experience.
Last year, she flew across the pond for a fleeting visit to the America’s Got Talent studio, posing alongside judges Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara for an Instagram snap captioned, “When @bgt meets @agt”. One US fan replied, “We would love to have you guest judge #AGT one day!”
But a source reveals Amanda has envisioned a permanent role on the panel and is putting the feelers out to Simon, saying, "While she is set to sit alongside him on next year’s BGT, Amanda has her eye on a seat on America’s Got Talent – as Sofia is rumoured to be leaving the show next year. With high hopes of making a career for herself in Hollywood, there’s a fear of Amanda being too pushy when it comes to her relationship with Simon. She would be a good fit on the US judging panel, but Simon is yet to make a decision.”
