'She feels upset and guilty'

Amanda Holden admits she wishes she had more time to spend with her daughters and reveals her anxiety about them growing up and leaving home

- Lauren Fletcher

She’s one of the biggest stars on TV, with a coveted role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, as well as a radio show on Heart FM – but Amanda Holden’s busy working life doesn’t come without its family hardships.

The 53-year-old, who has been married to husband Chris Hughes for 16 years, juggles her career with caring for their two daughters, Alexa (also known as Lexi), 18, and Hollie, 12, and admits she often struggles with “mum guilt”.

Amanda recently opened up to co-star Alan Carr in an episode of Amanda And Alan’s Italian Job, and became emotional as she discussed her daughters eventually leaving home.

“When your children, when they leave home, you only spend a year of your life with them ever again,” she said. “They say you have 18 summers and then you’re lucky to see them.

“It’s so terrible because you wish so much of it away when you’re a busy parent. You’re like, ‘Shush,’ or ‘Hurry up,’ or ‘What?’. Or you’re on your phone or cooking dinner or something goes wrong… And then you go, ‘Oh my gosh.’ Then you turn around and they’re not even there. And they’ve gone.”