In a deeply personal revelation, television personality Amanda Holden has opened up about her former marriage to comedian Les Dennis, describing him as appearing "sad" and "troubled" during their early relationship. The Britain's Got Talent judge, who married Dennis in 1995 before their divorce in 2003 following her affair with actor Neil Morrissey, has shared these intimate details in her new memoir, No Holding Back.
Initial Impressions and Protective Instincts
Holden recalls that when she first met Dennis backstage at Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre during a production of The Sound of Music, their initial perceptions of each other were far from romantic. "At first he thought I was loud, overconfident and a bit brash, which was probably true," she writes candidly. "I thought he was a bit of a miserable sod."
Despite these less-than-ideal first impressions, Holden felt a strong protective instinct toward the older comedian, who was approximately sixteen years her senior. "He seemed sad, quiet and troubled and I instinctively wanted to help," she explains in her memoir. This maternal instinct, which she describes as wanting to "mother" him, became a driving force in their developing relationship.
From Friendship to Marriage
The pair began spending more time together through social activities with other cast members, including regular trips to bowling alleys during their time off from the production. During these casual encounters, Dennis opened up about his personal struggles, including his failed first marriage to Lynne Webster and his sadness about rarely seeing his son Philip from that relationship.
Holden emphasizes that their connection began as purely platonic. "I don't think I consciously fancied him at this stage," she notes. However, approximately two years after their initial meeting, the couple exchanged vows in 1995 and began their life as husband and wife.
The Marriage Breakdown and Aftermath
The marriage ultimately collapsed five years later when news emerged of Holden's relationship with Neil Morrissey, her co-star from Happy Birthday Shakespeare. In 2002, Dennis chose to confront the public fascination with their split head-on by appearing in the second series of Celebrity Big Brother, a decision he would later acknowledge as "not one of his wisest moves."
After the affair became public knowledge, Holden spoke candidly about the intense media scrutiny during her marriage breakdown, describing it as the "worst time of her life." She reflected: "I brought it on myself, I appreciate that, but nothing will ever be as bad again. It was a very dark time. It got to the point where I felt I could hardly breathe."
Regret and Self-Reflection
The mother-of-two confessed she "hated" herself for being dishonest with Dennis during their relationship. Despite their efforts to reconcile, the damage proved irreparable, and they formally divorced in 2003. Holden's memoir provides a raw and unfiltered look at the emotional turmoil surrounding their relationship, offering readers unprecedented insight into one of British entertainment's most talked-about marriages.
Looking ahead, Les Dennis is scheduled to appear on Sunday Brunch on Channel 4 on Sunday, March 29, while Amanda Holden will return to her judging role on Britain's Got Talent on ITV on Saturday, March 28, continuing their respective careers in the public eye.
