Amanda Holden says Cheryl 'must be kicking herself' after turning down BGT opportunity
Amanda Holden was a last-minute addition to the Britain's Got Talent judging panel after Cheryl Cole pulled out of the show, and she says Cheryl "must be kicking herself"
Amanda Holden has joked that Cheryl Cole"must be kicking herself" for passing up the opportunity to join the Britain's Got Talent judging panel.
Cheryl, a member of Girls Aloud, was initially offered a spot on the popular ITV show but withdrew from filming at the eleventh hour. Consequently, Simon Cowell, 65, turned to Amanda, 54, whom he later referred to as an "interesting booking" believing she would "fit the show perfectly".
Despite declining BGT, Cheryl, now 41, did team up with Simon on X Factor in 2014, taking over from Sharon Osbourne and staying for two seasons. On the Tea at Four podcast, Amanda disclosed that she was involved in an ITV drama when Simon approached her.
She remarked: "I was an actress to that point and I think Simon, it's famous that she asked Cheryl Cole to do it but she turned it down...I bet she's kicking herself. I love Cheryl, bless her, but she did go on to do X Factor.
"I think that was because I was in a drama called Wild At Heart and it was one of those classic Sunday night dramas, so Simon got me to do that.
"And from there I have just turned into a host and presenter and I don't really act anymore really," reports Belfast Live.
Simon has recently lauded Amanda as the "queen" of Britain's Got Talent, noting that she "loves" watching the acts perform.
He revealed: "That's her, she honestly loves it. You know, every time I talk to her it makes me laugh because I say: 'You are loving this, aren't you?'
"Because there are days where I'm knackered and there's still an hour to go. And I'm like, wow, it's been a long day, and she's like, 'yeah, but it's brilliant, isn't it?' She is our Britain's Got Talent queen and she deserves that crown."
The music impresario shared: "And you know what? She was an interesting booking because we'd offered the role to Cheryl Cole, as she was known in those days.
"A week before filming, she calls me and goes: 'I just can't do it', and wouldn't give me a reason. I think she was freaked out. We literally had two judges and a week to book someone.
"I just knew it had to be Amanda because I'd met her and I really liked her, she was very funny and I just thought she'd fit the show perfectly. Fast forward 18 years and she's still a huge success and we have become great friends. I do consider her one of my best friends."
Britain's Got Talent is set to air tonight (Saturday, May 3) on ITV One at 7pm, with Amanda and Simon joined by fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon, all eager to see which act will triumph in the semi-final.
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