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Simon Cowell: ‘I respect her’ Star sides with Amanda Holden in Phillip Schofield 'feud'


Simon Cowell, 59, spoke out about Amanda Holden, 48, and Phillip Schofield’s alleged disagreement after reports suggested the blonde beauty’s role on Britain’s Got Talent could be at risk due to the news. The talent show’s head judge revealed he recently contacted Amanda over the phone to show his support for his co-star. Simon explained: “I respect her for standing up for herself.” The TV personality also took the opportunity to address speculation about whether the Heart Radio host would keep her seat on the BGT judging panel.

According to The Sun on Sunday, he said: “Am I on her side? She’s back on the show. I can’t make it clearer than that.”

He continued: “People were ringing to ask if Amanda was going to be fired, and as her boss I called her to say that wasn’t the case.

“I wanted to give her that reassurance that it was never ever going to affect her relationship with me and Britain’s Got Talent.

“She is hired for the Champions version and any other shows she wants to do.”

The A&R executive also spoke out about “preventing” “bullies in the work place”, but made no suggestion he was referring to Phillip.

Simon’s statement comes after insiders told the publication that the star gave Amanda a pay rise to show she has his full backing amid her reported feud with Phillip.

The star is set to return to the ITV talent show for a new spin-off entitled Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, where she will be reuniting with Simon, Alesha Dixon, 40, and David Walliams, 47.

Rumours emerged about Amanda and Philip’s seemingly tense relationship last month when a source told The Sun Online that the This Morning presenter “pushed” for Rochelle Humes, 30, to present alongside him on the ITV show instead of the Britain’s Got Talent judge. 

The insider claimed Amanda felt the decision was unfair at the time, explaining: “Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle Humes to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced — and having been told privately she’d got the gig. 

“She was told he’d chosen Rochelle because she was easier to “manage” on air – and understandably that incensed her.”

Phillip recently addressed the claims on Twitter in view of his four million followers.

He wrote: “The end of another really sad weekend.

“When you try for 35 years to be the easiest, most fun person to work with and you read such hurtful and wildly untrue stories from nameless ‘sources’. 

“Obviously I’ll take it on the chin.. I just hope you know me better.”

In light of the reports, an ITV spokesperson said: “Presenter line ups on This Morning change regularly and final decisions on these line ups are made by producers and not the presenters.

“Phillip Schofield is a much loved broadcaster and part of the ITV family. He is a consummate professional and held in high regard at ITV.”

Express.co.uk have contacted Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield’s representatives for a comment.



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