Amanda Holden's Emotional Revelation About Stillborn Son Theo
In a profoundly moving segment of the upcoming BBC series Amanda & Alan's Greek Job, television presenter Amanda Holden, 54, opened up about the devastating loss of her stillborn son, Theo, in 2011. During a candid conversation with her friend Alan Carr, Holden fought back tears as she reflected on the tragedy that occurred when she was seven months pregnant.
A Personal Philosophy of Grief and Acceptance
Holden shared her unique approach to processing the unimaginable loss, stating: 'When we lost Theo, there wasn't one moment where I thought why has this happened to me?' She continued with remarkable perspective: 'But there also wasn't a moment where I sort of blamed God or anything. And I just, the way I accepted it was to say that he chose me, just for those few months to see what it was like to live and develop and be in the universe, and then the universe took him back.'
The presenter elaborated on her spiritual but non-religious belief system: 'Now I don't think that's religious, but I let him go back, and that was my belief rather than like he went back to heaven as such. I felt like he went back into the universe and he's out there, and he's still part of our family. Only way I could make sense of it.'
Theo's Enduring Presence in Family Life
Despite the profound sadness, Holden expressed gratitude for the time she had with Theo: 'I was like, gosh, I was so lucky to have him for all that time. And even though he was born sleeping, he was perfect.' She firmly maintains: 'And I always, always say I'm a mother of three, always, because I am.'
Amanda, who married husband Chris Hughes in 2008, is also mother to daughters Alexa, 20, and Hollie, 13. The family continues to honour Theo's memory, with Amanda sharing a touching tribute in 2024 that read: 'You would have become a teenager today... #Theo'
Advocacy for Better Bereavement Support
Holden has become a vocal advocate for improved support for parents experiencing similar tragedies. She recalled an especially painful moment after Theo's stillbirth: 'I remember the lady afterwards as well when we went for a chat also said 'I know you're going home empty handed' is what she said to me. So I felt like some sort of game show contestant.'
This experience motivated her work with baby loss charity Aching Arms, for which she raised funds during her 3 Peaks Challenge. She hopes such charities will 'help people to avoid and educate them on how best to deal with something so awful.'
Medical Context and Support Resources
A stillbirth occurs when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy. While not all stillbirths can be prevented, medical advice suggests:
- Avoiding smoking and drinking during pregnancy
- Not sleeping on your back in later pregnancy
- Attending all antenatal appointments
- Monitoring baby movements and reporting changes immediately
Potential causes include complications with the placenta, birth defects, or maternal health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Risk factors include multiple pregnancies, maternal age over 35, and pre-existing conditions.
For those affected by similar experiences, support is available through organisations like Tommy's, a miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth charity, at mailbox@tommys.org or on 0800 0147 800.
