Amanda Holden and her husband Chris Hughes recently marked their 17th wedding anniversary, months after she revealed they lead separate lives
Amanda Holden has opened up about keeping her marriage alive with husband Chris Hughes, a record producer. The pair recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary, having tied the knot in Somerset back in 2008.
While she has admitted they’re not the type of couple who exchange gifts on special occasions, they appreciate each other in other ways.
Opening up about their “very controversial” secret to a long-lasting marriage, Amanda shared: “Everyone gets wrapped up with their children and their schedules and all the drama around your children when they’re growing up.
“But you have to remember that you and your husband were together first.”
The 54-year-old went on to tell Closer Magazine: “You have to invest in that relationship in order that you continue to have a relationship for your children’s sake as well as your own.
“So, that is incredibly important. It is very controversial, but it’s also supported by research.”
Amanda and Chris have been together for over two decades and are parents to two daughters; Lexi, 19, and Hollie, 13.
They initially met back in 2003 in Los Angeles, following the breakdown of her marriage to Les Dennis.
While they live together as a family, the radio host has previously admitted that they live “separate lives”.
Speaking on Heart Radio, she said: “Our lives have been very separate for a long time because we’re both very busy.
“Obviously, we’re very happily married, but we do lots of things separately. I love my Peloton and running, he goes and plays squash.
“He’s got a massive career as well. We’re always separate, you know.”
In a bid to schedule more quality time in together, Amanda said her husband put forward the idea of them playing Badminton.
Back in February, she told listeners: “We often play it in the summer in the back garden and with the kids.
“It’s such a good game, I’ve always loved it. We are going to be playing our first ever Badminton match tomorrow.
“I love a Badminton racket, because you can really whack that shuttlecock and I love the noise.”
It’s not the first time the Britain’s Got Talent judge has opened up about her marriage.
Previously speaking to OK! Magazine, she said a good sense of humour was key to a long-lasting relationship.
She added: “Plus I really fancy Chris. We’ll be eating dinner in a restaurant, he’ll go to the loo, then I’ll look up and catch a glimpse of a man and think he’s fit! Then I’ll realise, ‘Gosh, that’s my husband!'”
Amanda appears on Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win Christmas Special today at 4.30pm on ITV and ITVX. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website.
