Amanda Holden is adding another string to her busy bow, swapping talent show judging for quiz show hosting in the BBC’s new prime-time series The Inner Circle.
“It’s not a space I ever considered for myself,” she admits candidly to The Standard, but after filming the pilot, she was hooked.
Set to air five nights a week plus Saturdays this autumn, the show will combine the sharp edges of The Weakest Link with the unpredictability of Golden Balls — and Holden, 54, filming three shows a day in towering Louboutins, is clearly enjoying every minute.
“We made the pilot with an amazing production team, and I found myself really enjoying the whole quizzing process,” she says. “It’s a brilliant format that lets me chat with the contestants and bring some personality to the screen. I feel like a mix of Anne Robinson and Alexander Armstrong — quite the combo!”
Speaking of Robinson, Holden recently got the chance to meet the legendary host — famously dubbed “the queen of mean” — who inspired her own quiz show journey. “I have a place in the Cotswolds where Anne lives,” Holden reveals. “She is the queen, so if The Inner Circle gets recommissioned, I’ll definitely be going to her for hosting tips. She’s super witty, very gossipy, and not nearly as scary in real life as she seems on TV. But I wouldn’t mess with her!”
Despite the fun, the Portsmouth-born star admits the filming schedule was gruelling. “I never realised how much hard work goes into it. I filmed three shows a day, every day for three weeks — in So Kate heels, no less! If I end up with varicose veins, I’ll be suing the production company,” she jokes, followed by her trademark cackle.
When it comes to quiz subjects, Holden knows where her strengths lie. “The music of ABBA, definitely! Whenever I play Trivial Pursuit, I’m always good at history or entertainment questions, so it’d have to be something like that.”
Meanwhile, as the latest series of BGT approaches its grand finale, Holden says she’s hoping this year’s winner will be a group act, sharing the prize with more than just one individual. “Last year, Sydney Christmas was my golden buzzer, and her life has been turned upside down in the best way. But it would be amazing to see a band or dance group take the crown — and get to perform at the Royal Variety. That prize is huge.”
She recently made her Netflix debut fronting Cheat: Unfinished Business and is soon set to begin filming series four of her hit BBC renovation show Amanda and Alan with Alan Carr in Corfu, teasing that a Christmas special is also on the way.
Adding another milestone to her diverse career, Holden is set to be immortalised with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Blackpool.
Elsewhere, the self-confessed biscuit fan recently got the chance to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives.
Attending the launch of The McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives Experience, an immersive pop-up in London, Holden kicked off proceedings by reciting an “Ode to the McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives” — a tongue-in-cheek love letter to the pantry favourite.
She joked that she even dressed the part, wearing a chocolate brown PVC dress to match the theme.
“I was amazed to learn how long the brand has been around,” she said. “We all know a chocolate digestive can get us through the ups and downs of the day, but to think it’s been with us through World Wars and rebellions is incredible.”
Probed on which of her fellow BGT judges she would be most likely to share a biscuit with, she replied: “Probably Alesha [Dixon] because she’s probably the only one who would eat one. Bruno [Tonioli] always watches his figure and I think Simon [Cowell] might break his veneers on one as I put mine in the fridge!”
