Amanda Holden and Les Dennis: From Age Gap Romance to Dramatic Split

Amanda Holden has been married to Chris Hughes since 2008 and is mother to two daughters. Before that, she spent eight years married to TV presenter Les Dennis, from 1995 to 2003.

How they met

The couple first worked together in 1993. They were both cast in The Sound of Music at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre.

At the time, Les was 40 and Amanda was 22. Their 18-year age gap drew attention as their friendship grew into a relationship.

Wedding and public profile

The pair wed in 1995 in a ceremony covered by magazines. Amanda wore a satin gown with a vintage-style beehive and a tiara.

Les chose a navy two-piece suit with a cream paisley waistcoat. The coverage boosted their public profile as a television couple.

Breakdown of the marriage

Reports of Amanda’s involvement with actor Neil Morrissey emerged around 2000. The revelations led to a separation five years after their wedding.

The couple briefly reunited, but in 2002 they announced their relationship had ended for good. Their divorce was completed in 2003.

Reactions and reflections

Amanda later accepted responsibility for her part in the marriage troubles in interviews. Neil Morrissey expressed regret in 2014 over how events affected Les.

Les has spoken publicly about recovery. He told The Sunday Times that the hurt had been healed.

Lives after the split

Les Dennis remarried in 2005 to Claire Nicholson and went on to build a family. He remains known for hosting Family Fortunes and for his Celebrity Big Brother appearance.

Amanda continued her television career. She is a judge on Britain’s Got Talent and has raised two daughters with Chris Hughes.

Amanda Holden and Les Dennis navigated an 18-year age gap during their romance, which later ended in a dramatic split. Filmogaz.com reviewed the key moments of their relationship, marriage and aftermath.