They’ve been together for over twenty years. In the world of showbiz, that is basically an eternity. While most celebrity couples are busy announcing their "conscious uncoupling" on Instagram, Amanda Holden and Chris Hughes seem to be playing by a completely different set of rules. Honestly, it's refreshing.
Most of us know Amanda as the glamorous judge on Britain’s Got Talent or the voice of Heart Breakfast. She is constantly in the spotlight, wearing outfits that trend for days and keeping a schedule that would make a marathon runner tired. Chris? Not so much. He is the quiet force in the background, a successful record producer who famously avoids the red carpet like it's a dental appointment. This dynamic—the spotlight-loving star and the private partner—is exactly why Amanda Holden and Chris Hughes actually work.
The "Controversial" Choice to Put the Marriage First
Recently, Amanda dropped a bit of a bombshell about how they keep the spark alive. She called it "controversial," and depending on who you ask, it kind of is. She believes in prioritizing her husband over her children.
Wait. Don’t reach for the pitchforks just yet.
Her logic is actually pretty sound. She told Closer Magazine that while everyone gets wrapped up in the drama of kids and school schedules, people forget who was there first. "You have to invest in that relationship in order that you continue to have a relationship for your children's sake," she explained. Basically, if the parents are solid, the kids are happy. It's a "put your own oxygen mask on first" approach to marriage.
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And it seems to be working. They celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary in December 2025, but they’ve actually been an item since 2003. That's a lot of history.
Leading "Separate Lives" (But Not How You Think)
You might have seen the headlines about them leading "separate lives." In tabloid-speak, that usually means a divorce lawyer is on speed dial. But for Amanda and Chris, it's just practical.
Amanda is a self-confessed "spontaneous" person. She’s on her Peloton at the crack of dawn or filming travel shows in Greece with Alan Carr. Chris, meanwhile, is busy with the business side of the music industry and playing squash. They don't do everything together. They don't even swap fancy presents on their anniversary.
Instead of forcing a "perfect" shared life, they embrace the space. Amanda even joked on Heart Radio that she has to "force" Chris onto her Instagram twice a year just to prove he still exists. It’s that balance of independence and a solid home base in Surrey that keeps them from getting under each other's skin.
The Meeting That Changed Everything
It’s easy to forget how they started. They met in Los Angeles back in 2003. This was shortly after Amanda’s very public split from Les Dennis. Interestingly, Chris is the son of Mike Hughes, who was actually Les's agent. Small world, right?
Amanda has described the meeting as "primitive." She just knew. They didn't start dating until 2004, but once they did, they moved fast. Their first daughter, Lexi, arrived in 2006, followed by a winter-themed wedding at St Margaret’s Church in Somerset in 2008.
- Wedding Date: December 10, 2008
- Best Man: Former F1 driver David Coulthard
- Venue: Babington House (very posh)
- Children: Lexi (19) and Hollie (13)
Facing the Darkest Times Together
It hasn't all been red carpets and "fit husband" jokes. Any couple that stays together for two decades has to weather some storms, and theirs were devastating. In 2011, they lost their son, Theo, who was stillborn at seven months.
Amanda has been incredibly open about this grief. She often credits Chris for being the "solid" one during that time. He isn't the guy who buys roses every Friday, but he's the guy who keeps the "Mandy ship" steering when things get rough. She’s mentioned that Chris is "rubbish at romance" in the traditional sense, but he’s there for the big stuff—like making sure her car is clean and helping her relax when the industry gets too loud.
Why 2026 Looks Different for Them
As we move into 2026, the couple is finding new ways to bridge those "separate lives." Apparently, they’ve taken up badminton. Yes, badminton. It was Chris's idea to get them more quality time that didn't involve a red carpet or a TV crew.
It's these tiny, mundane details that make them relatable. For their 17th anniversary, Amanda woke up to a dog mess on the floor. She cleaned it up, accidentally left it on the side in some kitchen roll, and had to text Chris to warn him. His reply? A photo of the mess with the caption "I love you too."
If that isn't real marriage, what is?
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How to Apply the "Holden-Hughes" Method to Your Own Life
You don't need a Surrey mansion or a record-producing career to take a page out of their book. Their "success" boils down to a few very human things:
- Stop forcing the "Social Media Husband" thing. If your partner hates the spotlight, let them stay in the dark. It’s not a sign of a bad relationship; it’s a sign of respect for their personality.
- Prioritize the "Us" before the "Them." Even if it feels "controversial," making time for your partner independently of the kids can prevent you from becoming "just roommates" who manage a schedule together.
- Find a "Badminton." Find a low-stakes, slightly silly hobby that gets you moving and laughing.
- Humor is the ultimate glue. If you can laugh about dog poo on your anniversary, you can probably survive anything.
Amanda Holden and Chris Hughes prove that you don't have to be the same person to be the right person. She’s the fire; he’s the hearth. And twenty-two years later, the fire is still burning pretty bright.
To keep your own relationship as "fresh" as Amanda's, try scheduling a "check-in" night this week where phones are off and the focus is purely on your partner—not the kids, not work, and definitely not your Instagram feed.