Amanda Holden (born February 16, 1971 in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, England) is a British actress. She made her television debut on Blind Date but was not the woman chosen by the suitor. While a student, she rode naked around Bournemouth on a scooter for £20.
Her first television role was in BBC1 soap opera EastEnders in 1994 but she is perhaps best known for her role in the drama series Cutting It in 2002. She went on to appear in two more series before leaving in 2004. She also appeared in the comedy series Mad About Alice with Jamie Theakston but the series was unsuccessful and another series was not made.
She married Les Dennis in 1995, but separated from him following her affair with actor Neil Morrissey. These events made her a popular target for the British tabloid press. The couple were divorced on 18 November 2003.
Amanda Holden has appeared in several stage musicals, and in 2004 was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the West End production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. On 19 November 2004 she appeared on BBC's Children in Need telethon singing Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman". She also announced her engagement to record boss Chris Hughes.
In 2005 she appeared as 1960s singer Kathy Kirby in a TV film. Her most recent TV appearance has been on the ITV drama, Wild at Heart, which aired its first series at the beginning of 2006. Series two is due to begin being filmed later this year. Amanda played the role of Sarah alongside Steven Tomkinson.
On 21 January 2006 she gave birth to her first child, Alexa Louise Florence Hughes, by Caesarean section.
She supports Everton FC.
