Amanda Holden appeared to make a thinly-veiled remark about former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby during her radio show earlier today.
When talking to her Heart Radio Breakfast co-host Jamie Theakston about her latest Netflix series Cheat: Unfinished Business, the 54-year-old addressed speculation about another season being made. She said live on air: "Well, yesterday I read in the paper that we are doing another series, but I don't know for sure."
Jamie injected a bit of humour to the conversation by saying: "What are they suggesting? They getting Holly Willoughby?" Surprised by his question, Amanda then responded with a startled: "I... what?!" and then quipped with a chuckle: "No, they want a proper presenter."
Jamie retorted: "You're going to get in trouble for that!", to which Amanda joked back: "No one's listening."
In their past roles, both Amanda and Holly have taken turns presenting ITV's This Morning. The latter left a considerable mark on the programme as she remained one of its most prominent presenters until exiting after a 14-year stint in 2023.
Amanda filled in alongside Phillip Schofield when Holly was away on maternity leave. Recounting their work together, Phillip told Heat Magazine that Amanda always kept him alert since she lacks an "edit button" and sometimes forgets she's on air.
"She has a faulty edit button and she forgets she's on the telly, which is enormously endearing and funny, but occasionally quite scary," he said.
Despite previously stating she "absolutely loved" her time on This Morning, it seems the rapport between Amanda and Phillip changed over the years.
Reports at the time were rife with speculation that Phillip had shown preference for Rochelle Humes over Amanda, although ITV refuted these claims.
Amanda then hinted at a strained relationship with her colleague on Heart Breakfast in 2019. When asked during a quiz what she would not want to find in her house, her light-hearted response was: "Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield."
She also mentioned that she had reached out to Phillip for a chat over coffee, but didn't get a response.
Fast forward to 2023 and Amanda found herself at the centre of controversy, as she was accused of taking a dig at Holly via an Instagram post. Following Phillip's exit from This Morning, Holly delivered a heartfelt monologue to the audience, beginning with: "Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you OK? I hope so."
Shortly after, Amanda shared an Instagram video flaunting a white jumpsuit, cheekily asking her followers: "Hello, it is Tuesday. Are you OK?" before praising the weather for allowing her to don the outfit she was excited about wearing.
With a smile, she added: "I'm wearing this gorgeous white jumpsuit. It's been in my wardrobe for ages and I've been dying to wear it because the weather's got better and I can."
However, Amanda dismissed suggestions that she was making fun of Holly, stating: "Sadly strong and intelligent women have for far too long been pitted against one other when we should all be celebrated in our own right."
In her statement, she expressed frustration at the continued expectations placed on women: "Women are still expected to say nothing, suffer silently and just get on with it. And we do... mostly."
