Amanda Holden's co-star has jokingly suggested that she should be replaced after their morning radio show took a 'dark turn'. Jamie Theakston made the remarks as the radio colleagues discussed the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and the tradition of 'random animals' predicting football results.
They referred to Paul the Octopus, the now-legendary creature who predicted match outcomes at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by choosing a mussel from boxes marked with the teams' national flags. He correctly selected Spain as the winner while he also predicted all seven of Germany's results. A number of other animals have since tried to predict football results in big tournaments with varying degrees of success.
Search for a psychic pet
Speaking on Heart Breakfast yesterday (Monday, June 8), Amanda and Jamie revealed that the station was searching for a UK pet with similar abilities. But as they shared a light-hearted back and forth about the hunt, things took a 'turn'.
Amanda said: 'The more unusual pets are welcome, but you know, we'll accept dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters...they've gotta last, though. They have to last...I mean, hamsters...'
Jamie replied: 'Last? What are you talking about?' She said: 'Well, you know what I mean. They've got to sort of...we need a pet with longevity.'
He then asked whether she meant they would need to last the 'duration of the tournament'. When Amanda confirmed that was exactly what she meant, Jamie quipped: 'This has taken a turn.'
Laughing, she continued: 'I don't know why I'm saying that. I'm very well aware that we're on the school run, so I'm not gonna go down that dark, dark hole.'
Jamie replied that there was 'no need' and urged his co-star to tell listeners how they could register their pets. He added: 'If anyone's got a myna bird that we can do the show with me, that would really help.'
Amanda's unconventional crushes
It comes after Amanda opened up about her 'unconventional' celebrity crushes on a separate instalment of the show, admitting she has a weakness for what she described as 'follically challenged men'.
Some of the famous names mentioned included Owen Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Thomas Sweeney, Peter Dinklage and Stephen Graham. She also confessed to fancying Grand Designs' Kevin McCloud.
It just so happened that Kevin was on his way to the studio. She said: 'You are lying! Oh my god. How did you get him in?' Upon arrival, Amanda hugged Kevin, adding: 'Look how wonderful he dresses as well, he's such a smart, snappy dresser.'
Kevin joked: 'Look, I know you call it unconventional and not weird, but I think it's a bit weird.'
Amanda replied: 'It's not weird, I've seen you on a bike as well, he's very fit. I lost my mind, he cycled past me once on the streets of London.'
Kevin jokingly added: 'I've been thinking about it on the way and I decided not to turn back. It's a beautiful moment.'
