The Story of Amanda Holden and Les Dennis's Marriage
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, now happily married to husband Chris Hughes for 18 years, was once wed to television personality Les Dennis. Their union, which spanned from 1995 to 2003, captured public attention due to their notable 18-year age difference and eventual high-profile split.
How They Met: A Theatrical Beginning
Amanda Holden and Les Dennis first encountered each other in 1993 while both performing in a production of The Sound of Music at Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre. At the time, Les was 40 years old, and Amanda was 22, marking an 18-year age gap that would become a talking point in their relationship. Initially, they developed a friendship that gradually blossomed into romance, leading to their engagement and subsequent marriage.
The Lavish 1995 Wedding
Two years after meeting, the couple tied the knot in a grand ceremony in 1995, which was exclusively covered by Hello! magazine. Amanda, now a Heart Radio presenter, wore a flowing white satin gown with a deep square neckline, complemented by long white gloves and a glittering tiara set in a retro beehive hairstyle. Les opted for a deep blue two-piece suit paired with a paisley cream waistcoat and a white pointed-collar shirt, creating a memorable visual for their nuptials.
The Breakdown of the Marriage
Five years into their marriage, reports surfaced that Amanda had an affair with Waterloo Road actor Neil Morrissey, leading to a temporary separation. In a later interview with Good Housekeeping, Amanda reflected on the situation, stating, "Neil rightly or wrongly got loads of stick. I feel like it was my fault - I was the one who was married." Despite a brief reconciliation, the couple confirmed their permanent split in 2002, finalizing their divorce in 2003.
Aftermath and Moving On
In 2014, Neil Morrissey addressed the affair on Piers Morgan's Life Stories, expressing regret: "I feel sorry for how the situation was dealt with and I feel sorry for how emotional Les seemed to become. It was very difficult for him and for that I'm very sorry." Les later broke his silence in an interview with The Sunday Times, noting that "all the hurt that has happened has been healed." He went on to marry Claire Nicholson in 2005 and started a family, while Amanda shares two daughters with her current husband, Chris Hughes.
As Amanda Holden continues her role on Britain's Got Talent, airing on ITV, this chapter of her life remains a notable part of her personal history, highlighting the complexities of celebrity relationships in the public eye.
