For most middle-aged parents, being left with an empty nest is something they dread.
But Amanda Holden has revealed that she is counting down the days until her children leave home so she can spend more time with her husband.
Amanda, 52, says the reason why many parents dread their offspring moving out is because their relationships are unhealthy, and they no longer like each other.
But she claims her 14-year marriage to husband Chris Hughes is better than ever and she’s looking forward to the day she can have him all to herself, when their two daughters Lexi, 17, and Hollie, 11, grow up and move out.
And Amanda’s contentment in her relationship is reflected in the love she feels for herself, admitting life in her 50s is ‘the happiest she’s ever been.’
Amanda Holden has revealed she’s counting down the days until her children fly the nest – so she can spend more time with her husband. The couple, who married in 2008, share two daughters together, Lexi, 17, and Hollie, 11, and do everything as a family ‘unit’
The Heart Breakfast Show host says she and husband Chris still have so much in common that they look forward to the day they have an ’empty nest’ and can spend quality time together
Amanda’s contentment in her relationship is reflected in the love she feels for herself, admitting life in her 50s is ‘the happiest she’s ever been’
The Britain’s Got Talent judge made the surprising confession during an interview with MailOnline, in which she admitted she drinks one glass of Aperol Spritz a day, as she launches her line for fashion brand Lipsy London
Amanda says the reason why many parents dread their offspring moving out is because their relationships are unhealthy, and they no longer like each other
Speaking to the Mail as she launches her line for fashion brand Lipsy London, Amanda said: ‘You know when people have a problem and realise they don’t have anything in common when their children leave.
‘But Chris and I are like… ‘you can leave now’ because we still have so much in common, we’re excited about being left on our own.
‘We’re looking forward to becoming empty nesters! Lexi is almost 18 but we have an 11-year-old, so we’ve got ages to go but right now we do everything as a unit, Chris and I… the children come to everything with us.’
‘Empty nest’ is a term used to describe a family home vacated by grown up children, which can often be a distressing time for the parents left behind.
The Heart Breakfast show host says while she’s ‘barely seen’ Chris in recent months because of her hectic work schedule, the couple managed to enjoy a romantic holiday earlier this year and even value their time in front of the TV together.
She added: ‘Chris and I both love food so we go out for dinner. I absolutely hate people that say they hate watching TV, we get excited about sitting down and watching a box set together. We are TV people.
‘We went on holiday this year together, which was like our third or fourth honeymoon and it was just so lovely.’
Amanda is the new face of fashion brand Lipsy London and models her 20+ piece collection in exclusive photos that show off her youthful looks and stunning figure.
Amanda is the new face of fashion brand Lipsy London and models her 20+ piece collection in exclusive photos that show off her youthful looks and stunning figure
The TV and radio star looked sensational in an outfit from her new collection, which includes a cropped blazer jacket and black skirt with a feminine slit
But her secret to staying young isn’t an extensive skincare regime, strict diet or even vigorous exercise.
Indeed, she doesn’t believe in cutting out sugars or fats, and admits she treats herself to a cocktail every day.
She said: ‘I basically have an Aperol Spritz a day!
‘I used to do a lot of yoga, which I have completely neglected because of my schedule so I need to bring that back in, I used to have a personal trainer, which again went out the window so the thing I can achieve easily is running.
‘I run for my mental health and that’s it because that’s 36 minutes of my 24-hour day that I get to be on my own, I get to think, listen to the music I want to listen to, and I get a bit of fresh air.
‘I can’t stand gyms and I can’t stand running machines. I’ll deal with them if I have to but that’s all I’ll say to anyone is to get out of the house for half an hour even if it’s just a power walk. For me it makes a difference.
‘I am a vegetarian, so I feel I am accidentally healthy, but I love a massive glass of wine. I’m trying to do a detox which just involves not eating cheese everyday like I do in the summer, and I just don’t drink every day like I do in the summer.
‘Unless you need to for health reasons, I’m not a big advocate of cutting out sugars and fats. After lockdown we have all been told what to do so much and put so many restrictions on ourselves, and in life we are so restricted and have to mind what we say and do all the time so take your pleasure where you can get it and if that’s in a bottle of rosé then do it.’
As one of British TV’s most recognisable faces with her new show Sex: A Bonkers History beginning on Sky History later this month, the next series of Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job filmed with her comedian best friend Alan Carr in the works, and the return of Britain’s Got Talent next year, you’d expect Amanda to be totally exhausted.
Amanda says she disagrees with cutting sugars and fats out of your diet and believes life is to be enjoyed with a bottle of rosé
While Amanda has used a personal trainer in the past, she says in recent months her fitness regime has been neglected, but she never forgets to go for a run
The TV star is heading towards a detox after spending the summer indulging in cheese and wine, which she admits are her vices
But her zest for life in her 50s keeps her going and Amanda admits she’s even embodied a ‘f*** that’ attitude towards any negativity.
She said: ‘I have to say I do feel the happiest I have ever felt. More than ever, I have got a ‘f*** that’ kind of attitude about the next 20/30 years.
‘I honestly do not think about age. I don’t feel like the age that I’m supposed to be. I look at older people, Kylie, J Lo, and she is one hot woman, she is hotter than people half her age and it’s that thing, I feel like we are a totally different generation, and we are giving everyone a run for their money, and I hope it lasts.’
And the TV star hopes to give women of all ages the same feeling of confidence with her new Lipsy London collection, which includes a navy power suit, an array of sparkly dresses for the upcoming festive season, and a pair of heeled thigh high boots that Amanda is particularly proud of.
She said: ‘I was just talking to a mother and a daughter and a daughter that’s closer to Lexi’s age and the both of them were wearing outfits from this collection which is absolutely my aim.
‘Lexi herself has said ‘oh my God mummy, there’s some pieces that even I would wear’ she’s my harshest critic so I feel like it’s a success. She is in full approval.
‘The biggest compliment in the world is seeing a 20-something in a piece that’s in this collection. I have released a thigh boot for goodness sake! We can all wear thigh boots in our 50s.’
Amanda’s range is available in sizes 6-18 and from £34-£220 with the TV star saying her mission was to create timeless pieces at an affordable price.
She added: ‘It is it a decent price point and all quite classic so if you buy one piece you know it will last 5-6 years. I want the collection to be accessible and for absolutely everyone.’
- The Amanda Holden x Lipsy collection is available exclusively at next.co.uk and in select Next stores
Amanda’s Lipsy London range is available in sizes 6-18 and from £34-£220 with the TV star saying her mission was to create timeless pieces at an affordable price
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