Amanda Holden Slams Boring Hosts, Names Ideal Duo

Amanda Holden has revealed why she ultimately turned down the chance to front Strictly Come Dancing alongside close friend Alan Carr.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 55, told the Daily Mail she hopes BBC bosses will replace current presenters Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, with an unknown or rising TV star - and insists the role should remain in female hands following the duo's hugely successful tenure.

Amanda, who also presents Heart Breakfast, admitted she feels 'bored' by the rumoured shortlist of names reportedly in the frame, including Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond.

She and Alan were said to be the broadcaster's first choice following the success of their BBC travel series, most recently Amanda & Alan's Greek Job. But Amanda has now explained why the glittering primetime role simply isn't for her.

'You see, I am already part of a big show, and I'll happily carry on watching Strictly from the comfort of my lounge, but it takes up too many weekends, I've got to remember that I have children and a husband', she said.

'But I just hope that they still have two females doing it, that's my big thing. They need somebody super funny, and somebody that you wouldn't expect.'

Amanda Holden has revealed why she ultimately turned down the chance to front Strictly Come Dancing alongside close friend Alan Carr 

The Britain's Got Talent judge told the Daily Mail she hopes BBC bosses will replace current presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman with an unknown or rising TV star

Amanda said she believes the coveted role should not only go to an emerging talent, but to someone who has 'put the work in' and truly earned the opportunity to front such a big Saturday night show.

She added: 'It's a really amazing job to sort of break two people that we might know but don't know that well and push them up into the spotlight.

'There are so many people and women in our industry without getting too political who have put all the work in, all the hours in, who deserve a bloody break, so often when I see lots of names attached to it, I think, boring, boring, boring, they're all brilliant people but you go, "oh come on, think outside the box".' 

'It's a really wonderful moment to put two strong women in a role on a Saturday night.'

If it were her decision, Amanda said she would place two funny women at the helm of Strictly, adding: 'I wonder about Katherine Ryan, I think she's a good comedian, or Daisy May Cooper would be cool - they're definitely established.'

Amanda also suggested Alex Jones could be the perfect fit, particularly as she feels the presenter is not seen often enough on screen.

She continued: 'I quite like the idea of Alex Jones as well. She does The One Show and is a very good anchor and has a dry sense of humour and I think she's often - I don't see her enough, she's not been overlooked but you don't see enough of her on TV, she would be a really good choice.

'And bring on the glamour because you have to think about the outfits as well. I love Zoe Ball in that sort of anchor role and then I think somebody should take a chance on a comedian, go and search Edinburgh Festival, make it be a prize!'

Amanda said she believes the coveted Strictly role should not only go to an emerging talent, but to someone who has 'put the work in' and truly earned the opportunity

Each year, the star, who turned 55 this week, makes headlines with her glamorous, often daring outfits on the BGT live shows, and she insists this year will be no exception 

Amanda returns to the Britain's Got Talent panel for her 18th year, having been part of the original lineup when the show first launched in 2007.

Her unwavering commitment to the role means she will not be joining Claudia Winkleman on the next series of Celebrity Traitors, despite rumours, due to filming clashes.

She revealed: 'All I'll say is, they ask you not to say if you have been asked, but I'm going to say I can't do it because it means I would miss three nights on Britain's Got Talent and I can't miss three Saturday nights.

'I'm very flattered but I won't be on the roundtable unless they change the schedule. I also don't fancy staying at a hotel in Inverness Airport!'

Every year, the star, who turned 55 this week, sparks headlines with her glamorous and often revealing outfits during the Britain's Got Talent live shows.

Amanda says she won't be holding back this year, with viewers set to see even more from her wardrobe.

She said: 'Obviously, I know what I wore for the auditions because they're all done and dusted, but I'm yet to decide what I'm wearing for the live shows.

'But of course, there will be side boob, and leg, and anything else that I can get out, bring it on! My stylist is laughing his head off now.'

Amanda returns to the Britain's Got Talent panel for her 18th year, having been part of the original lineup when the show first launched in 2007

KSI joins Britain's Got Talent for the first time as a permanent judge, with Amanda joking that she feels like his 'nan' 

Simon is back on the judging panel alongside Amanda and Alesha Dixon, with KSI joining as a permanent judge, replacing former Strictly star Bruno Tonioli.

Amanda revealed that she and KSI have become 'probably the closest on the panel,' joking that due to their 23-year age difference, she feels like his 'nan.' 

She praised Simon for keeping the show relevant and open to new audiences, saying: 'I am always up for reinvention, that's the most important thing in the industry, I go along with the latest trends and remember to have a sense of humour. 

'Me and KSI were probably the closest in the panel, we get on really well, it's like I'm his nan or something. 

'He just came onto Heart Radio, and it's all held back for when the show is released, but he came on for a good hour, we just really get on and our teams love each other and we socialise, he does teach me a lot, but I still look at his social media, and I don't have a clue what he's doing. 

'Having KSI on the show helps. When a show has been going for this amount of time, I have always said I am very grateful to be sitting in my judging seat but if that ends, it's always good to keep reinventing and keep things fun and relevant. With his massive following on digital platforms, it brings new people and new eyes to our show.'

Amanda also spoke about Simon's evolution from his X Factor era, describing him as more relaxed, humorous, and generous with contestants.

She said: 'It's always brilliant when you see Simon leaving the table and walk on stage. 

Amanda also spoke about Simon's evolution from his X Factor era, describing him as more relaxed, humorous, and generous with contestants 

Hosts Ant & Dec posed alongside judges Simon, Amanda, Alesha, and KSI ahead of the show’s launch episode on Saturday, February 21

'It's nuts what he volunteers for, but he does have stiff competition on the KSI - it used to be me, but KSI is like a rat out of a trap getting up on stage, he can't get up there quick enough. 

'Simon is more up for a laugh than he's ever been, he's super relaxed, giving people second chances. 

'I know it's boring but he's a different man since having Eric, he's softened and he takes the p*** out of himself now and doesn't care about being late.' 

Reflecting on Simon's long-lasting career, Amanda added: 'To be honest, I think he's been hugely successful for so long and to keep being at the forefront of this industry, everybody knows who he is still after all these years, he can afford to relax a little bit, dare I say it. 

'He's never going to take his foot off the pedal but he's just a little bit more chilled because he's still ahead of his game and also willing to find the new thing and be part of the next trend, that's why he came up with the idea of signing KSI, he's always ahead of the game, and that's why he's always been successful.'

Last year, Simon lifted the lid on both his personal and professional life in the Netflix docuseries The Next Act, which followed his search for the next big thing - culminating in the formation of boyband December 10.

The music mogul is now hoping to propel the seven-piece to international superstardom, much like he did with One Direction. The group are already making strides, having signed a major deal with EMI Records.

Following the release of their second single, Run My Way, Amanda praised Simon's ability to think ahead, insisting he always has a 'long-term plan' - particularly when it comes to conquering the UK charts.

She said: 'Simon is the King of reinvention and mixing things up. The landscape has changed in music from the days of The X Factor. Success takes longer to build solid foundations for in this streaming era of music we live in.

'Simon will have a long-term plan, his mind never stops and he's so optimistic about life which is a wonderful quality to have.'