Amanda Holden has bluntly warned producers of a well-known ITV programme after she declined to participate.
The Heart FM presenter discussed the forthcoming series of Big Brother alongside former Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts and fellow host Jason ‘JK’ King on today’s show. It prompted Amanda to ponder why I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is always aired before Christmas.
The 53-year-old judge from Britain’s Got Talent speculated that more celebrities might be tempted to join if the show were scheduled after the festive season. However, Amanda stated it still wouldn’t sway her to sign up.
She remarked: “I always think with I’m a Celebrity, I would never do it, but I always think if it was after Christmas you would have more of a chance as a detox. And then I go, ‘you know what, I used to do that sort of thing all the time’ juices and pulses after Christmas. Don’t any producers call me. I’m not coming.”
JK chimed in with a joke: “Yeah but the juice you’d be having is the juice of a kangaroo’s thingy.” Ashley, who delivers the entertainment updates on Heart Breakfast, was previously a contestant on the show in 2012, where she was the runner-up, with Charlie Brooks taking the title of jungle queen.
Reflecting on her past ordeal in the spotlight, she told OK! magazine back in 2015: “I’m grateful I did it. It proved that I could do things I didn’t think I could do and I had an amazing response from the British public, which I am so grateful for, but I’m leaving the jungle behind honey, that is done, chapter closed.”
She later appeared on shows like Channel 4’s The Jump and BBC Strictly Come Dancing, where she impressively finished as a runner-up with Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg while Stacey Dooley went on to win the Glitterball Trophy.
Despite Amanda being known for her 17 years judging on Britain’s Got Talent, she took to the airwaves on Heart Breakfast alongside Jamie, with whom she started presenting in June 2019.
Her co-presenter recently announced he was battling stage one laryngeal cancer. Announcing his situation, he shared: “So – I have cancer – but cancer doesn’t have me.”
He remained optimistic, expecting a “very positive” outcome and a return to the show in October. Advised to rest his voice, he thanked co-hosts JK and Amanda Holden for taking over during his absence and expressed immense gratitude for the support from Global: “Big thanks to them and all the Global family who have been unbelievably supportive. Be thankful for this day, and when I next see you, I’ve got a great story to tell … Jamie x.”