Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has revealed her husband Chris Hughes experiences moments of jealousy regarding her close friendship with comedian and Celebrity Traitors champion Alan Carr. The television personality, 54, made the candid admission during a recent podcast appearance, shedding light on the dynamics within her long-term marriage.
A Marriage Tested by Television Partnership
Amanda Holden and music producer Chris Hughes have been married since 2008, having first met in Los Angeles back in 2003. The couple, who share two daughters - nineteen-year-old Lexi and thirteen-year-old Hollie - have maintained what appears to be a strong relationship for over two decades. However, the intensity of Amanda's professional partnership with Alan Carr has introduced unexpected emotional complexities.
The friendship between Holden and Carr has flourished during their collaborative work on several property renovation series for the BBC. Their professional chemistry has translated into a genuine personal connection that occasionally leaves Chris Hughes feeling sidelined.
"He Did Mention It a Couple of Times"
During an appearance on the Table Manners podcast hosted by Lennie Ware, Amanda was directly questioned about whether her husband experiences jealousy regarding her bond with Alan. She responded with refreshing honesty, confirming that the issue had indeed surfaced in their relationship.
"He did mention it a couple of times," Amanda revealed, acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding her working relationship with the comedian. This admission came alongside humorous anecdotes about family gatherings where the trio's dynamic played out in amusing ways.
Photographic Evidence of Exclusion
Alan Carr provided specific examples of how this jealousy manifests in everyday situations. He recounted a memorable incident during the previous Christmas season when the group visited Covent Garden together. "She went, 'Oh, let's have a photo', and she threw the camera at Chris and me and here were like this with her children," Alan explained, describing how Amanda positioned herself with him rather than her husband for the photograph.
Even more telling was Alan's recollection of a New Year's Eve photograph where Amanda deliberately excluded her husband from the frame. "We did a photo at New Year's Eve where she deliberately cut him out," the comedian revealed. "We're holding hands and I know."
Amanda interjected with her own version of events, adding humorously: "And you could just see Chris's shoulder in the side of it. I was like, 'Me and my husband'. Oh, whoops."
Professional Partnership Blossoms into Friendship
The relationship between Amanda Holden and Alan Carr has developed significantly through their collaborative television work. Their first series, Amanda and Alan's Italian Job, saw the pair purchasing a dilapidated property in Sicily for just one euro before undertaking extensive renovations and eventually selling it.
The completed Sicilian property, located in the picturesque town of Salemi, was marketed for slightly over £125,000 last year. Profits from the sale were divided between two prominent charities - Children in Need and Comic Relief - adding a philanthropic dimension to their professional partnership.
From Italy to Greece via Spain
Following their initial success in Sicily, the duo embarked on further renovation projects in northern Tuscany, Italy, and Andalusia, Spain. Their most recent television venture has taken them to the Greek island of Corfu for Alan and Amanda's Greek Job, which returns to BBC One this evening at 7.30pm.
Amanda previously explained their choice of location, revealing her personal connection to Greece through family holidays with husband Chris and their daughters. "As a country we love it, I holiday there every year," she said. "Alan and I have holidayed there. We were fantasizing, saying oh, wouldn't it be amazing if we could do a show in Greece... we never actually thought it would be a reality!"
Balancing Professional and Personal Relationships
Despite the occasional tensions, Amanda was quick to praise her husband's character and sense of humor during the podcast conversation. She described Chris Hughes as "the funniest man alive," suggesting that any jealousy stems from the intensity of her working relationship with Alan rather than deeper marital issues.
Alan Carr similarly emphasized Chris's good-natured response to the situation, noting: "He's got such a good sense of humour." This mutual respect among all three individuals appears to help navigate the occasional emotional complexities that arise from Amanda's dual roles as television personality and family woman.
The revelation provides a fascinating glimpse into how high-profile television partnerships can impact personal relationships, even within seemingly stable marriages. As Amanda Holden and Alan Carr continue their successful collaboration on property renovation series, they must navigate not only the challenges of transforming dilapidated buildings but also the delicate balance between professional chemistry and personal boundaries.
