Amanda Holden’s mum: who is Judith Mary Harrison?

Everything you need to know about the BGT star's mother dearest

Amanda Holden mum Judith Mary Harrison

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

Amanda Holden is one of the most recognisable faces on British telly, in 2019 reportedly overtaking the likes of Holly Willoughby as the highest paid female presenter in the UK with an estimated £5m fortune.

But who are the parents behind the star’s success? We know that Amanda is super close to her two daughters, Lexi, 16, and Holly Rose, 10, but what’s her relationship like with her own mum? Here’s what we know.

What is Amanda Holden’s mum called?

Amanda’s mum’s name is Judith Mary Harrison. Her step-dad is Leslie Collistor.

Who is Amanda Holden’s mum?

Amanda’s mum Judy is currently retired but Amanda has spoken about how she and her stepdad Leslie have worked as extras on TV shows like EastEnders, Poldark and Doc Martin.

Judith Mary Harrison
Amanda and her mum Judy ©Instagram

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Judith is estranged from Amanda’s dad, Frank Holden. Amanda wrote in her 2013 autobiography, "When he was home [he] spent all his available cash on booze and was only focused on where his next drink was coming from.

"Not only that, but he was impossible to live with in every way. He would leave home for hours at a time, often staying out all night and returning drunk the next day."

How old is Amanda Holden’s mum?

At the time of writing, Amanda Holden’s mum Judith is 72 years old.

Where does Amanda Holden’s mum live?

Judith and Lesley live in Cornwall, in a small hamlet near the seaside town of Bude on the north coast. During the height of the coronavirus lockdown in 2020, Amanda was reported to police after travelling 215 miles from Richmond upon Thames in Surrey, where she was spotted by neighbours and accused of "endangering key workers and vulnerable people in the area."

Amanda Holden mum
Amanda and her mum and step-dad in 2003 ©Getty

A spokesperson for Amanda said at the time, "Amanda is aware that all families are going through difficulty during these turbulent times but received a distressing telephone call from her elderly father on Friday afternoon.

"On balance Amanda felt the round trip to Cornwall necessary to contain the matter at her family home. The very personal situation has now been aided and Amanda is back in London. Amanda is aware of the travel rules and is devastated she had to break them on this one occasion."

Who plays Amanda Holden’s mum?

Hey, no judgement, but we think you might be getting a little bit confused. Lee Francis played Amanda’s nan, Myrtle, in a 2020 comedy series for e4 called The Holden Girls: Mandy and Myrtle.

Amanda Holden grandmother

In 2020, Amanda and her ‘nan’ starred in a documentary-style comedy series for E4 called The Holden Girls: Mandy and Myrtle, which saw Amanda convince her beloved nana to come and live with her in her swanky London home throughout the pandemic.

The show’s synopsis said, "A concerned Amanda persuades her lonely nan to relocate from Doncaster to live with her in her swanky London house.

Amanda Holden grandmother
Amanda and her actual grandmother ©Getty

"Following a chaotic settling-in period, it isn't long before tempers fray and Amanda is forced to choose between her husband and her difficult nan."

And speaking of her excitement at the time, Amanda said, "I’m delighted that everyone is finally going to meet my nan, the apple never falls far from my tree and in this series she will certainly be keeping me on my toes."

Amanda Holden husband

Amanda married her second husband, Chris Hughes, in 2008, but just five years later admitted that their sex life was suffering.

"We’re both so busy," she told The Mirror at the time. "My poor husband - he’s so far down the list."

Thankfully, things have now improved and Amanda credits lockdowns with enhanced time in the bedroom with Chris.

"This whole thing has been great for my marriage," she said. "I know people are talking about it causing spikes in baby-making and divorce rates, but for us it has been brilliant.

"I’m too old for more babies but our relationship is stronger than ever. It’s all about the lockdown loving."

She added, "You’d never know it because whenever I post photos online Chris refuses to be in them — or he takes them — but getting all this time together for once has been great."

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Britain's Got Talent: Cheats, controversies, and scandals - SLIDER

Matisse and his stunt dog1 of 6

Matisse and his stunt dog

Matisse and his trainer Jules O'Dwyer shot to victory in the 2015 series but it soon emerged everything wasn't as it seemed.Shortly before the final it was revealed Matisse was swapped for another dog that looked almost identical partway through the act for a spectacular tightrope stunt.The scandal was even investigated by Ofcom, with a representative saying at the time: "ITV broke rules by misleading viewers during the series finale."However, they confirmed that show bosses didn't intend to deceive viewers.

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CREDIT: Rex / Shutterstock

Ronan Parke and the anonymous blogger

Police were called back in 2011 when an anonymous blogger started rumours about 12-year-old singing contestant Ronan Parke.It was claimed he had been groomed for stardom for two years before his appearance on Britain's Got Talent by Simon Cowell and that he already had a management deal, something both Simon and Ronan denied.The blogger was cautioned by police and Ronan made it to the final but lost out to fellow singer Jai McDowall.

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CREDIT: Rex / Shutterstock

Bruce Forsyth was unimpressed

Showbiz legend Bruce Forsyth hit out at Britain's Got Talent, saying he thought it was too harrowing for young children to be put under such pressure during the live shows of the competition.He suggested there should be a separate series for younger contestants as it was too much of an "ordeal" for them, prompting Simon Cowell to brand Bruce "Mr Grumpy".However, Bruce later wrote in the Daily Mail: "But I really do think he should stop putting young children under the immense and possibly damaging pressure of performing on national television, not just in front of a live audience, but also before four very sharp judges."You can see that many of the adult performers find the experience traumatic, so what sort of emotional damage could it be doing to children who, for the most part, are only there because of the ambition of their parents and teachers?"

Paddy and Nico4 of 6

Paddy and Nico were already big talent show winners

Who could forget the twinkle-toed salsa-dancing granny Paddy and her younger dance partner Nico?They impressed the judging panel with their slick moves when they appeared on the show in 2014.But it soon emerged the pair had already competed in a major television talent show abroad and had won Spanish contest Tu Si Que Vales, which is very similar to Britain's Got Talent.But, undeterred, the pair remained in the competition and made it to the final, finishing in ninth place.

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Alice Fredenham was branded a fake

In series seven, singer Alice Fredenham took to the stage but was left crippled by a horrific bout of nerves.But the warbler managed to suddenly pull herself together at the last minute as she was given a last chance by the judges.The public was left annoyed when, just a week later, she appeared on The Voice with not a hint of stage-fright to be seen.

Diversity BGT6 of 6
CREDIT: ITV

Diversity's BLM performance

When Ashley Banjo took Simon Cowell's place for the 2020 series, fans were divided by a Diversity performance inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. While many commended it as "powerful", Ofcom received over 1000 complaints from people objecting to the 'politicisation' of the family show.

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Does Amanda Holden have kids?

Amanda and Chris are parents to daughters Lexi and Holly Rose.

As well as being a great mum to her kids, Amanda’s also a supportive friend and way back in 2013 exclusively told Closer that she’d been on hand to help best pal and fellow Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon during her first pregnancy.

Amanda said, "I didn’t get to see Alesha this summer, but she was a trooper and worked right up until the last minute of her pregnancy. She will be an amazing mother. I’m due to visit her next week and I can’t wait to meet her little girl."

She added, "I sent Alesha some cake when I found out she’d given birth, because that’s what every mother needs if you ask me."

Speaking of how she stayed fit after becoming a mum for a second time, she told Closer in 2013, "I lift [baby Holly] up to do chest presses and tricep lifts," she laughed. "My tummy is wobblier since having Hollie, but I don’t care. I’m just so grateful to my body for actually being here and giving me two lovely children. My boobs have gone up from a 34B to a 34C too, which is a bonus!"

Amanda Holden son

In 2018, Amanda bravely opened up about the traumatic experience of losing her son, Theo, at birth.

Theo was stillborn in 2011 and in 2020, Amanda launched her music career by dedicating the first song on her album, called With you, to him.

She said, "The last lines of this song are ‘You took my life with you, Took my world with you’ and so this is for Theo, our baby who was born sleeping and for [her husband] Chris who stayed strong when I fell apart," she said.

"It was Chris who told me he always thought of Theo when he heard this song which floored me so it’s also his song for Theo. It’s very emotional to sing this song but I think you get chosen for experiences like that only if you are strong enough to deal with it. And it changes you."

If you been affected by stillbirth, access support fromSands.

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