AMANDA Holden and Holly Willoughby seemingly have a secret feud that has been waging on for years.
During the week, Amanda, 54, took a savage swipe at former This Morning host Holly, 44, live on air while presenting her radio show.
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But this wasn’t the first time that Amanda has taken a veiled dig at the Dancing On Ice and Celebrity Bear Hunt host.
During a chat with Jamie Theakston on Heart Breakfast in the week, Amanda poked fun at Holly’s presenting skills .
Jamie teased Amanda about the possibility of her new Netflix dating series Cheat: Unfinished Business being renewed for a new series.
Amanda said she had seen reports suggesting it will be, but she “didn’t know for sure”.
Read More about Amanda Holden
Jamie then cheekily remarked: “What are they suggesting, they getting Holly Willoughby?”
A shocked Amanda then said: “I… what?!”
However, she quickly said: “No, they want a proper presenter.” – suggesting Holly lacked the hosting skills that she had.
Jamie then mock scolded her and said: “You’re going to be in trouble.”
But cheeky Amanda just replied: “No-one’s listening.”
Amanda’s alleged feud with Holly might have began in 2014.
When she was at the helm of This Morning in 2014, Holly went on maternity leave.
Amanda then joined the This Morning team and took over from October to January before she went to film Britain’s Got Talent auditions.
After BGT auditions had come to an end, Amanda then returned to the ITV daytime show again for a few months.
Amanda and Phil, who stepped down from This Morning on May 20, 2023, had also previously hosted The Sun’s Military Awards together and appeared to get on well.
Could You Bet! be the full circle moment Holly Willoughby needs?
By Joshua Rom
When Holly Willoughby finally announced her departure from This Morning in October 2023 it felt almost like a crescendo. After her feud with Phillip Schofield, dealing with the revelation about his workplace relationship, months of speculation, a lacklustre return to the daytime show and a horrendous kidnap plot it seemed like her own departure was almost a relief.
She made her return to TV on Dancing On Ice, a show that first shot her to superstardom that she knew inside and out. This was combined with a long-standing colleague from her days in children’s TV to serve as her co-host in the form of Stephen Mulhern. It was a safe and steady bet for the star that placed emphasis on the continuity of her career despite unprecedented challenges.
She was previously announced as one of the hosts for a new jungle challenge show for Netflix called Bear Hunt. The streamer reportedly spent £1million on a ‘ring of steel’ security detail made up of ex-special forces and former military guns to protect her against drug gangs and kidnappers. We are still yet to see this show but with contestants such as Mel B, Shirley Ballas and Steph McGovern it is sure to be a must-watch.
But You Bet! feels like a proper homecoming for the star as she returns to ITV with her first new format since she left This Morning. Her partnership with Stephen Mulhern will continue and the new show could cement them as the new golden hosting couple of the most popular commercial broadcaster. Huge names like Olly Murs and Harry Redknapp will only bolster their star power and viewers will surely love the on-screen reunion with her former colleague and BFF Alison Hammond. Plus, you cannot go wrong with a beloved TV game show format from the 90s. The BBC can attest to this with the success of Gladiators.
On paper, this news has all the qualities for a major success and maybe it will be the show to usher in a new era for Holly Willoughby.
Years later, however, it was reported that relations between the pair had turned sour, with Amanda confirming on her radio show that she doesn’t ever plan on a reconciliation with her former co-worker.
Instead Rochelle Humes was picked for the job.
A source told The Sun at the time: “Amanda was so excited when she learnt she had secured the role.
“She is ITV’s golden girl and has always been a firm favourite with This Morning.
“She’s an experienced co-host and has filled in on the sofa on many occasions, including alongside Phil.
“So she was shocked when she was taken out to lunch by ITV executives who told her that unfortunately they couldn’t follow through with the offer.
“During the lunch they let slip they thought the decision had been heavily influenced by Phil and that he had thrown a spanner in the works.
“Their meeting was a few weeks before the news broke that Rochelle would be covering for Holly – and Amanda was understandably upset.”
A former daytime TV executive told us at the time: “Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle Humes to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced – and having been told privately she’d got the gig.”
A spokesperson from ITV denied the claims in a statement: “It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.
“Phillip is a much-respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.”
Phillip was apparently “lost for words.”
Then, years later Amanda made a dig when she mimicked Holly’s opening monologue on This Morning amid the Phillip Schofield scandal.
Holly said to the viewers at home: “Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you ok? I hope so.”
The clip was widely ridiculed and on the same day, Amanda – who is well known for her dislike of Phillip – appeared to poke fun at this.
Amanda shared a video where she was wearing a similar outfit to Holly and then seemingly copied her monologue.
She addressed her fans and said: “Hello, it is Tuesday. Are you OK?”
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