Amanda Holden moves away from BGT as she becomes BBC show's 'biggest signing'

24 February 2024 , 22:01

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Amanda Holden is said to have signed up to appear on a BBC reality TV competition show (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Amanda Holden has reportedly signed on as a judge for RuPaul's Drag Race UK, with it said to be "one of the biggest signings" since the show launched five years ago.

It's been suggested that she will appear on the new series of the BBC drag contest later this year. Producers of the show - which debuted in 2019 - are said to be "thrilled," whilst Amanda, 53, reportedly "had a good giggle" in the studio.

And it has been teased that it signals a move away from Britain's Got Talent (BGT). Amanda has been on the judging panel of the ITV series alongside its creator Simon Cowell, 64, since the long-running talent show launched in 2007.

As reported by the Daily Star, Amanda will now bring her "glamour" and "sense of humour" to RuPaul's Drag Race. A source told the outlet: "Amanda is perfect for the show because she's glamorous and has a brilliant sense of humour. And of course she's got plenty of experience because she's been a judge on [BGT] for years."

Amanda Holden is said to have signed on to appear as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Getty Images)

The BBC show, which is fronted by drag artist RuPaul, launched in 2019 (Getty Images)

Amanda is said to have already filmed her stint on the panel, which has featured her pal Alan Carr, 47, as one of the recurring judges in all five past series. She's said to have been in the studio with host RuPaul, 63, and regular judge Michelle Visage, 55. The source commented recently: "Amanda had a good giggle on set. It was a dream for her."

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It's been described as her "latest big-money contract" from the BBC, with Amanda having appeared on several of the broadcaster's shows in recent years. This includes being a regular panelist on game show I Can See Your Voice, and co-hosting Amanda & Alan's Italian Job with her close pal.

An industry source told the Daily Star about the former actor's career: "Amanda has been one of ITV's biggest stars for years as a judge on [BGT]. So bosses at the network will be nervous about her doing so much stuff with the BBC."

It comes following Amanda's recent remarks about working with Simon on BGT. She's on the judging panel with him alongside Alesha Dixon, 45, and Bruno Tonioli, 68. The new series is set to launch later this year on ITV.

Chatting with her radio partner Jamie Theakston, 53, as well as her BGT colleagues Ant and Dec, both 48, Amanda revealed on Heart Breakfast this week: "He's super polite, if I ever swear around Simon I'm really aware of it whereas I don't care about anyone else!". Ant teased: "You're always swearing around us!" Amanda went on to tease that Simon is sometimes late for filming of BGT, saying on the radio show: "We're all waiting for two hours while we wait for him to turn up."

Ed Gleave