AMANDA Holden is now one of a small but growing band of women with primetime Saturday night slots – and she couldn’t be prouder.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge is preparing to host Inner Circle on BBC One tomorrow.
It is one of the few big weekend programmes — including Strictly with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman — which doesn’t have a male host.
Amanda said: “It’s so important, and something I believe strongly in.
“It was a woman at the BBC that rang me up and gave me the confidence to do Inner Circle.
“She said, ‘We need more women like you on television. We want fun, we want . . . ’ and the word she used was a rebellious woman.
“But I suppose she meant that I was sort of a rebel because I speak my mind. For me, that was massively flattering and one of the main reasons I agreed to do the show.”
For Amanda, it is inspirational to be part of a group of more mature ladies who are fronting shows — and to huge acclaim.
Plus, there is the buzz of Inner Circle being on just before Strictly tomorrow, which means for more than three hours, viewers will be watching shows presented by women on a Saturday. Amanda added:
“Between me, Davina McCall, Claudia and Tess, we are still going and saying, ‘Excuse me, we can do it as well’.
“Yes, the ladies are killing it right now.
“It’s super-important, because TV, especially the game show genre, is still male-dominated.
“It’s nice to have a change and to keep evolving. I’m massively respectful of people coming up behind me too and encouraging women to go for it.
“When you know someone’s got it, they’ve got the background, done the hard graft and got the job because they’re good at the job, that’s what we need to champion as an industry.
“I am seeing more and more women doing that — and it is simply wonderful.”
- INNER Circle will kick off tomorrow with the celebrity spin-off – on BBC One and iPlayer at 5.35pm. Then from Monday at 4.30pm, it continues daily with the non-famous version, before going back to Celebrity Inner Circle on the Saturday.
CHAT WILL DO NICELY, BUT NO AL
HOSTING a quiz show means Amanda has fulfilled one of her greatest ambitions, which also include going back to the West End and updating her autobiography.
But there is yet another goal waiting to be ticked off.
Amanda said: “I would love to have a chat show. I think, once again, you’ve got two men who dominate that in our country – and that needs to change.
“Of course, The One Show with Alex Jones is brilliant.
“But I’m like, ‘Where’s the afternoon chat show that used to be on around teatime and can it be hosted by a woman?’ I don’t get it.
“Alan and I thought about doing one together. But then we said there’s no point in anyone coming on as a guest as they wouldn’t get word in edgeways.”
Fair point.
A TIGHT DRESS WITH HEELS IS MY ARMOUR
OUTFITS worn by Amanda on Inner Circle will be a bit different to the ultra-glamorous gear we are used to seeing her in for Britain’s Got Talent.
And they will certainly be smarter than the overalls she puts on when making her hit home renovation show for the BBC with pal Alan Carr, for which they have travelled to Italy and Spain.
Amanda says a tight dress and heels are her armour[/caption]
They will still be very “Amanda” and she always picks out clothes that act as a kind of “armour” for television.
The glam host said: “My game show style is a killer heel and a tight dress. I wore trousers for a couple of days, but I just thought I’m always going to be me and I’m always going to dress the way I want to.
“I really enjoy fashion – it’s part of my TV armour.
“My armour for going out on TV is a good blow dry, a ton of make-up, a lash and a frock with a killer heel.
“That’s how I operate.”
KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY
THE star of stage and screen this week defended celebrities accused of having “nepo babies” when they help kids follow in their footsteps.
And Amanda makes no apologies if anyone levels the claim at her and daughter Lexi, who has a modelling contract and is at uni.
Lexi visited the Glasgow studios where Inner Circle was filmed, with her younger sister Holly.
Amanda said: “I’ve got Holly all teed up for the junior version – she’d be a fabulous presenter for that. Obviously they’ve come to Britain’s Got Talent and they’ve grown up with it all.”
But she added: “I wish I could say they were super-excited and really thrilled about everything, but they’re just not.”
THE presenting style on The Inner Circle has not been based on any other quiz mistress, insists Amanda.
But there is a fair chance that viewers might see hints of a certain Weakest Link host.
Amanda said: “I love Anne Robinson. She has a house near mine in the Cotswolds and I met her at a dinner party and love her. She is still completely all there – fabulous.
“She was doing a charity Weakest Link but it was a clash with something to do with my daughter’s school so I didn’t go.
“But she is formidable and brilliant. When she did The Weakest Link, I think it was iconic.
“No one touched her. Romesh Ranganathan does a great job now, but it’s still Anne’s show.”
