Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon talk vowing to be friends and THOSE Ofcom complaints over their racy Britain’s Got Talent outfits
WHEN Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are in the same room together, bedlam ensues.
They command attention even when you can’t see them thanks to their very distinctive (and extremely naughty-sounding) cackles.
But it’s when the first ladies of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent emerge from behind the haze of hairspray to go in front of the camera that the fun really begins.
Getting them to stop gossiping between shots is as tough as breaking up their on-set shenanigans, which include Amanda playfully peeking down Alesha’s top.
No one is left in any doubt that one of telly’s greatest female partnerships is not just for show – these two are as good friends off screen as they are sitting on the judging panel of BGT.
Amanda, 46, has been a judge since the TV talent show launched in 2007.
An attempt at hiring a second female judge in 2009 ended in disaster when Kelly Brook was unceremoniously dumped after six days, and Simon Cowell, 57, mischievously hinted afterwards: “They’re trying to out-dress each other. You know what girls are like. I love that.”
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So when Alesha, 38, joined in 2012, Amanda was determined the pair would be firm friends.
“I couldn’t bear that everyone was going to try and pit us against each other, as I’m a mother of two girls and love women,” says Amanda matter-of-factly.
They certainly hold their own against fellow judges Simon and David Walliams, 45, as well as seeming to expertly balance being mums with hectic work schedules.
Our post-shoot interview with Amanda – who is mum to daughters Lexi, 11, and Hollie, five – is squeezed in during the two-hour break between matinee and evening performances of her West End show Stepping Out.
While Alesha, who has three-year-old daughter Azura, fits in her chat at the HQ of her publisher following meetings for her upcoming children’s book Aurora Beam.
But behind all the glitz and glamour, they’ve both experienced devastating heartache.
As a child, Alesha witnessed her mother Beverley suffer domestic violence at the hands of her partner. Then as an adult, Alesha’s first marriage in 2005 to rapper MC Harvey, now 38, broke down after a year when she discovered he’d been unfaithful.
Amanda suffered a miscarriage in 2010, then her son Theo was tragically stillborn at seven months the following year. In 2012, she nearly died giving birth to her daughter Hollie and spent three days in intensive care.
Both women say the tragedies in their lives have only made them stronger.
They are ballsy, brave and when they are together, very, very funny. We sit down with TV’s hottest power couple.
AMANDA
You’ve been on BGT since the start, but do you fear Simon wielding his axe?
I’d be utterly heartbroken. I’d feel embarrassed, but I wouldn’t hold a grudge and would totally understand. Flipping heck, I was expecting to do BGT for five years and it’s been double that.
What’s your relationship with Alesha like?
I can’t tell you how nice it is to have another woman who you can let your guard down and be vulnerable with and ask for an honest opinion on what you look like. Who else understands about childcare and everything else a woman has to go through?
I can’t tell you how nice it is to have another woman who you can let your guard down and be vulnerable with
Amanda Holden
You recently said Simon has strict rules about how he likes his female employees to look – what did you mean?
I meant Simon expects us to look groomed and nice. However, I [do it] for my own dignity. Touch wood, I’ve never been caught without my lashes on, ever. My 96-year-old grandmother Ethel said to me: ‘Never let your husband see you without lipstick.’ Obviously that’s gone out the window, but I do have that mentality. If I turned up in a tracksuit, Simon would have something to say about it, but then 9 million others would as well. It would be horrendous and I can’t imagine ever doing it.
Do you feel pressure to always look good?
Oh, no. I’m slightly different from other women. I’ve always been fit because I did gymnastics all my life, and genetically my family are athletic-looking. My grandmother always taught me dignity: face on, go! To look good isn’t a pressure, it’s a way of life. I’m not perfect. I’m a swan, gliding across [the water and frantically paddling underneath]. I might look effortless but underneath I’m s**ting myself.
Last year, your choice of outfits on BGT drew complaints to TV regulator Ofcom. Did it make you want to rebel this series, too?
Yes, it’s brilliant! I have to think about the school gates though.
Would you ever do Playboy?
I probably would, but I wouldn’t get my nunny out.
Does your music producer husband Chris, 43, ever ask you to wear less revealing outfits?
No – he’s more obsessed with my hair. He loves it when I have my proper full hair and hates when I wear it up, so that’s all he’ll ever say.
You look amazing at 46. What’s your attitude towards ageing?
I don’t feel any different – I’m not making noises when I get out of a seat! I keep up my fitness so I can be healthy for my kids, but I don’t
feel particularly bothered about my age.
A few years ago you said you’d ditched Botox. Have you been tempted to have it since?
[Sighs] Do we have to have this question? Every time I talk about it, it becomes a headline. So let’s shift away.
What’s been the hardest thing you’ve faced in the industry?
I haven’t been out of work and haven’t really had any bad reviews. There’s obviously my personal life, and I think that more than makes up for it. [Amanda had a well-documented affair with actor Neil Morrissey during her eight-year marriage to TV star Les Dennis, which ended in 2003]. Business-wise I’ve always been absolutely fine. But then it’s been very well documented what else I’ve been through, so we don’t need to harp on there. It’s been so well-written about and people must be sick of it.
You and Alesha both have shared experiences of heartache. Have they brought you closer together?
I think we’re exactly the same in that we’re not defined by circumstances or tragedy, and we’re definitely not victims. We’re people who come back fighting. She’d never show a sad face and would get on with it, and so do I. It’s nice to have sympathy, but you don’t want pity. That’s the worst thing you could feel for anyone, in my opinion. I never want anyone to feel like that towards me. She’s the same, and you come out more feisty and stronger because of it. It shapes who you are. Hopefully that’s relatable for other women. However much they see perfectly coiffed hair and skimpy outfits, they know full well all the s**t we’ve been through. We’re real, we’re not perfect, we’ve made mistakes and bad things have happened.
In your last Fabulous interview in April 2016, you said that before BGT you thought you might be seen as a threatening person because of your affair and the fact that women can judge each other harshly. Were you worried about Alesha’s opinion of you before you met?
I don’t know what she must have thought. I think BGT showed women – because that’s all I care about – that I’m not a threatening person. I’m a girls’ girl. Because of the mistakes in the past – that women aren’t allowed to make, ever – you never get forgiven, and you get pigeonholed into a type of woman. Simon did me an enormous favour because there’s nowhere to hide on that show. Then people are entitled to their opinions because it’s an honest one. You can’t make everyone like you. I did try hard once, but I don’t care any more.
Because of the mistakes in the past – that women aren’t allowed to make, ever – you never get forgiven, and you get pigeonholed into a type of woman.
Amanda Holden
You praised Prince Harry for speaking out about mental health. As a result of your grief following two traumatic births, you went through therapy. How did it help?
I’m a “get on with it” person, but I completely appreciate some people need to stop and have therapy, so I’m thrilled it’s being spoken about. For me, it was grief therapy. I can make myself feel better by chatting to family and friends. But I had no tools left and no way of communicating how I was feeling. I knew then that I had to find someone. I saw someone for probably two or three weeks – it wasn’t much. I’m very much like: “Show me how to do it and I’ll do it.” And I did. I felt better, so I thought: “Alright, that’s enough.”
ALESHA
What’s your relationship with Amanda like?
From day one, we’ve always got on. Before the first show we went for a coffee and made an allegiance. We wanted to set an example to women that they can work together, get on, respect one another and not be in fear of each other. We’re not competing – although some of our outfits might on the live shows! And we like each other. It’s not about the drama or conflict between the judges, and I wouldn’t want to work on a show like that. I’ve surprised myself that I’m still here six series later.
We’re not competing – although some of our outfits might on the live shows!
Alesha Dixon
Amanda was worried about women judging her harshly as a result of her affair. Did you have an opinion before you met her?
I liked her before we met. I don’t like to judge people – she says as a judge on BGT – but who is anyone to persecute another human being for something, like they are holier than thou? That’s one of my biggest pet peeves. We’re all flawed in some shape or form and none of us are perfect little angels. I think it’s unfair, as she’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I’ll always have her back and defend her. I really look up to Amanda as she’s a fighter and a “go out there and get it” kind of girl.
And how about your relationship with Simon the boss?
Simon’s not my boss. There’s only one boss of me and that’s Azura. She’s the only person in the world who can boss me around and get away with it. I’m sure Amanda and I tend to put Simon in his place more. I have a great relationship with him and love being in his company as I find him hilarious. He often takes the mickey out of my clothes because – especially when I do BGT – I try to be a bit edgy. He often looks at me and is like: “What are you wearing?”
What did you make of your outfits receiving complaints to Ofcom last series?
Cool, right? I blame Amanda. Honestly, it doesn’t bother me at all and it’s quite funny. If I sit and analyse it, I’m like: “People actually took the time to complain?” I’d love to meet them and have a chat because I find it quite fascinating. I might show some skin, why not? I’m a young woman who wants to feel and look good.
Have you experienced sexism in the industry?
Yeah, probably all the time. I never allow being female or the colour of my skin to be reasons not to succeed. I think women have to overcome a lot more, just in the fact that we live in a time where men get paid more money for doing the same job. Women are so strong, and that’s one thing they can’t take away from us.
What would you do if you discovered David Walliams was being paid more than you?
I’d write a complaint letter and get Ofcom on the phone. It would be an injustice!
What are your attitudes towards ageing?
I’ve never felt better. The first year after having a baby, it takes a long time to feel yourself again. You accept it as it’s part of giving birth, but I’ve got my body to a place where I actually prefer it now. Another reason is that everything I’ve been through in my life that has been challenging happened as a child and through my 20s. Now in my 30s, I’m with the love of my life [long-term partner Azuka Ononye, 36] and have a beautiful daughter. I’m at a point where all the stresses have gone, I’ve learnt how to relax and be more in the moment. Ageing has proved to be really good because my life only seems to get better!
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from the bad times?
Worrying is a stagnant energy that doesn’t get you anywhere. You only hurt yourself when you hold on to anger or bitterness. Unfortunately you do have to go through things to come out the other end.
You kept your pregnancy with Azura secret for six months, but Amanda guessed. Did it bring you closer together?
Yeah, it was lovely. In hindsight, I don’t know why I kept it quiet for so long. In my mind I was like: “People still think I’m single, let alone pregnant!” I thought if I announced it then it would be bump watch during the live shows. The day after the final, I told my family. My nan was furious as I’d known for six months!
If you and Azuka decide to have another baby, would you do the same thing?
If I ever fell pregnant again I would be normal about it now. Becoming a mum was another sense of freedom because there was nothing to hide. I’m at that age where if I am going to have another baby then I need to start thinking about it, but at the moment I’m enjoying Azura starting nursery and getting a bit of us time again.
You’ve been in a relationship with Azuka since 2012. Is marriage on the cards?
Yeah, why not? I’m very open-minded. I’m at a place in my life where if I never got married again that’s OK, and if he asked me to marry him I’d say yes. I wouldn’t rule it out, but I’m not chasing it either. We’re in a really good place, so I’m happy in the now. But I still believe in what marriage represents.
Watch the Britain’s Got Talent Live Final .