Amanda Holden has finally put to rest one of the strangest rumours to emerge from her painful split with first husband Les Dennis — a bizarre claim that he was being “comforted” by none other than Diana Ross.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge married comedian Les in 1995, despite their 18-year age gap, but their whirlwind romance came to an end in 2002. The breakup was later overshadowed by reports of Amanda’s alleged affair with actor Neil Morrissey.
Amid the fallout, gossip columns began whispering that Les had found solace in the arms of music legend Diana Ross.
Now, more than two decades on, Amanda has revealed the truth — and it’s far less glamorous.
Speaking on the Tea At Four podcast, Amanda explained:
“I hate to bring it up, but when I was going through my divorce, my friend Jane Wall — who is a mixed-race actress — was living in my house.”
Jane had moved in temporarily so she could save for a mortgage, but the tabloids mistakenly identified her as Diana Ross.
“The papers said my then-husband was being ‘comforted by Diana Ross’,” Amanda laughed.
“That was hilarious.”
Jane Wall, best known for playing DI Di Worrell on The Bill, stayed silent at the time, while Les later dismissed the rumour in 2004 as “particularly ridiculous”.
Amanda has since found happiness with producer Chris Hughes, whom she married in 2008. The couple share daughters Lexi and Hollie.
She is now fronting Netflix’s new relationship series Cheat: Unfinished Business, which follows eight former couples as they confront infidelity in a luxury retreat with help from Married At First Sight UK expert Paul C Brunson.
Appearing on The One Show, Amanda admitted staying impartial was no easy task.
“Oh my God, it was very hard for me to sit on the fence,” she said, adding that she often played the role of the “auntie” on set — popping in and out while trying not to judge.
The experience has even strengthened her own marriage.
“I was in awe of Paul’s advice — it’s so brilliant and succinct. You can listen to it all day,” she added.
From explosive rumours to quiet truths, Amanda’s latest confession proves that sometimes the wildest headlines hide the simplest explanations.
