Television presenter Amanda Holden has confessed to being left "heartbroken" by her most recent BBC project, describing it as the "worst one yet". The 54-year-old Britain's Got Talent judge made the admission while promoting the new series of her property renovation show with comedian Alan Carr.
The Most Daunting Project To Date
Amanda and Alan's Greek Job marks the fourth international renovation for the duo, following successful projects in Sicily, Tuscany, and Andalusia. Their latest venture saw them purchase a dilapidated property on the island of Corfu. Speaking to Woman magazine, Alan Carr, 49, revealed the shocking initial state of the house, which lacked basic essentials.
"It didn't have stairs, floors, or even windows," Carr explained. He joked, "It had a poo. And it looked like there was blood in there. It was actually red paint. So the transformation is insane." Despite their improved DIY skills over four series, Carr admitted his "heart genuinely sunk" upon first viewing the Corfu house.
A Labour of Love With Emotional Goodbyes
Amanda Holden echoed the sentiment of difficulty, particularly when it came time to leave the finished project. "We're always heartbroken when we leave, but this was the worst one to leave," she stated. The pair chose Greece for their latest series due to a shared affection for the country. Holden holidays there annually with her husband, Chris Hughes, and their daughters Lexi, 19, and Hollie, 13.
"As a country we love it," Holden told the BBC. "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!"
Pushing Boundaries and Boosting Tourism
The series continues to challenge the presenting pair's handiwork. Alan Carr noted they have to "gear up" each year and attempt new skills to keep audiences engaged. "We have to do things we haven't done, or people are just not going to watch," he said. "This year, we put up a floating bed that was completely out of my comfort zone."
A significant and unintended consequence of the show has been a spike in tourism to the featured locations. Holden confirmed this trend, joking about its impact on her own holiday plans. "This is absolutely the truth - wherever we go every year the tourism goes up," she said. "I know I've shot myself in the foot doing the show in Corfu - everyone's going to go!"
The first series in Sicily famously involved buying homes for just one euro each, with the proceeds from the sale of the renovated Salemi property—over £125,000—donated to Children in Need and Comic Relief. Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job continues at 9pm on BBC One on Fridays.
