Amanda Holden has cheekily revealed she’s asked Simon Cowell for a rather luxury bonus for choosing last year’s Britain’s Got Talent winner, Sydnie Christmas, as her golden buzzer act. The presenter has admitted that she’d like a luxury holiday in the Maldives as a reward – as well as a contract renewal for the hit ITV talent show.
The presenter, who is set to co-host the Royal Variety Performance for its 112th year this Sunday with comedian Alan Carr, spoke out about her bond with winner Sydnie ahead of the big show, saying: “Can I just say Sydnie is amazing! We’ve spent lots of special moments together this year.”
In an ITV interview for the show, she divulged: “As Sydnie was my golden buzzer and won the show, I’ve actually asked Simon Cowell for a holiday in the Maldives and a renewal of contract as a bonus! He said he’s thinking about the first one!”
Amanda, 53, has been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since its launch in 2007 and clearly isn’t shy about jokingly making the most of her successes on the show to negotiate a few extra perks.
The Royal Variety Performance, airing on ITV on Sunday, marks another milestone in Amanda’s career as she takes the stage to host the show alongside her close friend Alan Carr.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Amanda said: “I was absolutely over the moon. Alan’s done it before, he’s obviously a pro at it, but I’ve never done it, and when I was asked, I just thought, ‘Oh my God, Alan, please say yes.’ Because to do it together would just be a dream come true.”
The pair, who are real-life mates, teased the audience with hints about their upcoming appearance, suggesting they’ll be bringing their own musical, acting and comedic talents to proceedings with some surprise performances in store. Amanda said: “There’re a few acts that you might see Alan and I appearing in… we’ve been doing some very intensive training.”
Though it may be her first time hosting the annual spectacular, this week’s Royal Variety Performance won’t be the first time the TV star has met the King and Queen, though. Amanda shared: “I performed for King Charles at one of his birthdays and I’ve met him at various things. And Queen Camilla is patron of Battersea Cats and Dogs Home where I’m an ambassador, so she’s been down there quite a lot and I’ve met her.”
She added: “They’re really down tp earth and a little bird has told us that they have watched our show.”
Though the show will air on TV this Sunday for the first time, it was filmed at London’s Royal Albert Hall at an earlier date. For the event, Amanda flashed her abs in a stunning green co-ord alongside co-host Alan , while King Charles arrived solo after Queen Camilla pulled out of attending due to illness.
