Amanda Holden's Daring BGT Outfits Generate Hundreds of Ofcom Complaints
As Britain's Got Talent prepares for another series of auditions, judge Amanda Holden continues to make headlines not just for her critiques but for her controversial wardrobe choices. The television personality, who celebrated her 55th birthday recently, has been a fixture on the show since its 2007 launch, becoming renowned for her racy ensembles that frequently spark viewer complaints to broadcasting regulator Ofcom.
The 'T*t Committee' and Fashion Philosophy
In 2020, Holden revealed that ITV executives had established what she humorously termed a 't*t committee' to assess whether her dresses were too revealing. This came after one plunging gown alone generated 235 Ofcom complaints. Despite the frequent backlash, Holden remains unapologetic about her fashion choices.
'What you see on TV, I really love,' she told Closer magazine. 'Every outfit on the show is checked before I leave my dressing room, so I'm never worried. I think people should have fun with fashion!'
The judge has consistently defended her approach, arguing in 2022 that 'fashion is about taking risks' and expressing boredom with playing it safe. She noted the disparity in criticism compared to fellow judge Alesha Dixon, describing the focus on her own outfits as 'bizarre.'
A History of Controversial Ensembles
Over the years, specific outfits have drawn particular attention from viewers and regulators alike:
- Spiderweb Dress (2019): This sheer mesh number featuring an embroidered cobweb design sparked nine complaints despite showing no actual skin.
- Plunging Blue Gown (2019): Designed by Lebanese designer Saiid Kobeisy, this dress with its dramatic neckline generated 34 complaints.
- Plunging White Dress (2023): A custom Saint Hendrix creation with silver clips under the breasts prompted 72 complaints, deemed by some as 'too revealing for a family show.'
- Sparkling Sheer Dress (2016): This black leotard with keyhole slit beneath sheer sparkly fabric resulted in 90 complaints, though Ofcom declined to investigate.
- Lace Corset Dress (2020): A plum Suzanne Neville creation that flashed plenty of leg accounted for 136 of 896 total complaints about that episode.
- Celia Kritharioti Gown (2020): The navy off-the-shoulder dress with V-neckline prompted 235 complaints, with some viewers mistakenly thinking they saw nipples.
- Julien Macdonald Gown (2017): Topping the list, this £11,000 ensemble slashed to the navel with back cut-out attracted a staggering 663 complaints.
Regulatory Response and Recent Developments
Despite the volume of complaints, Ofcom has consistently declined to launch full investigations. Regarding the 2017 dress that drew 663 complaints, the regulator stated that while recognizing 'potential to offend some viewers during what is a family show,' the outfit 'would not have exceeded most viewers' expectations.'
In June 2024, Holden subtly addressed the ongoing controversy by joking that it was fellow judge Bruno Tonioli's turn to 'flash the flesh,' captioning a social media post '#NippleGate but for once... it's not me' as Tonioli wore an open white shirt.
The judge maintains that she works closely with her stylist on every look and loves all her outfits from the show's seventeen-year history. As Britain's Got Talent returns, viewers can expect both spectacular talent acts and continued fashion discussions surrounding one of its most recognizable judges.
