Amanda Holden has been at the top of her game recently – having just finished her annual gig on Britain’s Got Talent and with her makeover show with comedian pal Alan Carr being recommissioned – she’s also reportedly relishing in the downfall of her “nemesis” Phillip Schofield. But now insiders say that the presenter is struggling to decide between staying in the UK and exploring opportunities in America.
However, there could be a real opportunity for Amanda at This Morning in the aftermath of the show’s fallout with Phillip. There are also rumours that Holly Willoughby – whose own future on the show is up in the air – may be taking time off from the show over the summer holidays and would need someone to cover her.
Closer previously reported that Amanda, 52, had been considering a future in America, especially since her eldest daughter Lexi, 17, is looking at universities there.
And now insiders say, “Amanda is feeling really torn right now about her future. On one hand, she’s got people in her ear encouraging her to strike while the iron is hot to cover for Holly on This Morning – while on the other, she’s got her dream of working in America lined up with job offers in place working on current affairs show, Inside Edition. She just wants to make sure she plays her cards right over the next few weeks, but right now, she’s not sure what move she should make.”
Amanda and Phillip, who worked together on This Morning while Holly was on maternity leave in 2014, reportedly fell out when Phillip, she claims, ensured Amanda was not asked back when Holly was away filming I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2018. He apparently asked for Rochelle Humes to cover Holly as she’s “easier to manage on air”, which Amanda was furious about. The BGT judge then fuelled rumours of the pair’s feud by posting a cryptic Instagram story when Phil stepped down from This Morning after more than 20 years. She shared a bicep curl emoji after the news, which fans interpreted as a celebration of Phillip’s downfall.
And our source says, “Amanda has been relishing the fallout, as she’s obviously made no secret of the fact she had a massive issue with Phil. Her management is really keen to speak to ITV producers about getting a permanent spot on This Morning, which they feel is more than owed to her after the way she was treated by Phillip.
“There’s no denying she’d take great delight in accepting a role on the This Morning sofa, as it’d feel like a big victory. She’s been told that ITV bosses may call her up at any moment and give her an offer to come back, but she’s already got dates in the diary with a lot of other offers going on, so it’s a really tricky time for her.”
While this would be a great opportunity for Amanda to secure a more regular slot on morning television, she’s also toying with the idea of trying to crack America. The presenter is reportedly relatively well-known in America already thanks to Susan Boyle’s viral success over there.
Amanda has even used Susan’s name to open doors for her before. Back in 2010, she said, “I was in Texas trying to get permission to film a documentary. So I said, ‘Do you know Susan Boyle? I’m one of the judges on the show” and immediately we were allowed in.”
She’s also interviewed Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie and Tom Hanks, and previously guest starred on America’s Got Talent. But that’s not the only reason Amanda feels a pull towards America. Her eldest daughter Lexi – who has recently come into the spotlight by making her red-carpet debut alongside her mum at the British Fashion Awards, and launching her own modelling career on social media – is also considering going to university in America.
The insider says, “Amanda has always wanted to make a name for herself Stateside and feels she didn’t really make a go of it over 10 years ago, when the Susan Boyle video went viral. Back then obviously her daughter Lexi was a lot younger, so it was harder to just up and move them both across the pond. But now with Lexi grown up, Amanda feels like this could be her time to shine.
“At the same time, she does have a lot of insecurities because she knows how competitive it can be in America. But some of her pals have said if she can survive ITV then she can survive anything. She’s trying to look at the positives, as she does feel incredibly in demand right now.”
Closer’s insider adds, “It’s tough because while Amanda would love to work on This Morning as a form of payback for all she went through with Phil, she can’t help but feel like it might be time to move out and make a fresh start in her life.
“She wishes she could get someone else to make the decision for her as she doesn’t want to make the wrong one. She’s hoping to leave it up to fate – but she’s being pressured by her team to come to a decision.”
