Amanda has just launched a new dating show

Amanda Holden is a judge on the ITV talent show(Image: Stuart C. Wilson, Getty Images)

Amanda Holden thinks Simon Cowell has become “more vulnerable” on Britain’s Got Talent since having his son Eric. Simon and his partner Lauren Silverman welcomed their son into the world in 2014. Amanda thinks Simon’s “nasty side” has vanished since he became a dad.

The 65-year-old music mogul is renowned for his harsh comments and strict persona on both Britain’s Got Talent and X-Factor. However, he has recently displayed a softer side.

In recent episodes of the ITV talent show, Simon offered an audience member a chance to sing for him after he failed to secure an audition. The singer was in the crowd watching the audition process as a fan when he decided to take his opportunity to catch Simon Cowell’s attention.

He shouted over to Simon as he said: “19 years I’ve tried to get in front of you and I’ve never ever had the chance.” Max Fox went onto secure a spot in the semi finals after receiving the golden buzzer from Amanda Holden.

Speaking to the Metro newspaper, Amanda said: “It has been brilliant for me to see how Simon’s changed. I do miss his nasty side – he said what everyone was thinking – but now he’s had a child, he is more vulnerable.”

Amanda also thinks Cowell is “brilliantly funny”, and that came out thanks to ‘Come Fly With Me’ star David Walliams – who was a judge on the show from 2015 until 2022.

The ‘Heart Breakfast’ radio host recalled how she arrived in a dishevelled state when she was first approached by Simon to feature on the judging panel.

Amanda shared: “My daughter Lexi, who’s now 19, had just had her first birthday, my manager called and says, ‘Simon Cowell says, do you want to do…’

“I just went, ‘Yes.’ He didn’t even finish the sentence. Two days later, I was on a train to Birmingham, where I then proceeded to have no make-up artist or stylist, and I wore my top on back to front. The rest is history.”

The 54-year-old star does not take her time on the show for granted. Praising Simon’s loyalty and how he is “not frightened of reinvention”, she said: “Our contracts are done yearly, so we don’t have long contracts where I know I’m going to be doing the show every year, and I’ve never taken it for granted, ever.”

It has recently been confirmed that Amanda will host Netflix’s new dating show, ‘Cheat: Unfinished Business’. The show brings together eight former pairs who parted ways over cheating allegations to see if they can mend their broken bonds.

She is hosting the series alongside Paul C. Brunson(Image: Netflix)

She has teamed up with relationship expert Paul C Brunson to help broken couples get back together following affairs. Speaking about the Netflix show, which was released on Wednesday April 30, she said: “It’s about people who are already invested in their relationship – but, obviously, one of them has made a mistake, and it’s about finding their way back.

“And I think the topic is global. Everybody knows somebody who has cheated or may have themselves. You might not necessarily walk off into the sunset with the love of your life, but you definitely walked out into that sunset going, ‘Do you know what, I’m ready to start again, I’ve learned so much about myself. Let’s go. So it’s very positive.”