It’s not even December and Christmas is well underway in Davina McCall and Amanda Holden ’s households.
The Masked Singer judge put fairy lights up the day after Bonfire Night, while the Britain’s Got Talent judge followed suit a week later.
“The minute fireworks night is out the way, they’re up,” says Davina, speaking on Zoom from her new Kent home, which she shares with hairdresser boyfriend Michael Douglas and her children Holly, 21, Tilly, 19, and Chester, 16.
“I saw Rochelle [Humes] had put her tree up and I had major FOMO,” says Amanda, also on the call from Surrey, where she lives with record producer husband Chris Hughes and their daughters Lexi, 16, and Hollie, 10.
“Christmas used to start on 1 December, then lockdown sent me over the edge so now I put my decorations up in November. I thought, ‘Sod this! I’m not going to be dictated to any more!’”
Joining Amanda, 51, and Davina, 55, on their first joint cover interview is like third- wheeling with a married couple.
Their affection for each other runs deep, as they treat our chat more like an overdue catch-up, swapping Netflix tips – “we love anything schmaltzy!” – and gift-buying tactics for their partners in the run-up to Christmas.
They’ve had each other’s backs through two divorces (Amanda from Les Dennis in 2003 and Davina from Matthew Robertson in 2017), health battles, devastating losses and challenges in a cut-throat entertainment industry.
“I’ve just always loved Davina,” says Amanda, who looks red carpet ready even in an orange oversized roll neck jumper. “I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t know her. She’s got such amazing energy. I feel like I can talk to her about anything
in confidence.”
“That’s annoying because you’ve just used all the really nice words for me,” says Davina, laughing.
“I have enormous respect for Amanda – she feels really safe to me. The other thing is our partners get on, so we just know it’s always very nice when we’re together.”
The presenters are fronting online fashion, home and beauty retailer JD Williams’ Christmas campaign and you’d be hard pushed to find two women who’d make better poster girls for the party season.
Davina demonstrates some serious social life stamina – boasting regular 2am finishes and three nights out on the trot.
And Amanda has just got home following a wine-fuelled weekend in the countryside with Robbie Williams’ wife Ayda Field and Simon Cowell ’s fiancée Lauren Silverman.
“Our nights out used to be more raucous,” says Amanda.
“We had a lovely dinner and some good glasses of good- quality wine rather than shots, and I got home and watched one of my cheeky Netflix series that I can’t watch with my husband called The Empress – don’t watch it, it’s such rubbish! And I was in bed by 11.30pm.”
“I’ve got one of those series – Virgin River,” squeals Davina.
“Amanda, you’ve still got young kids, but because my youngest is now 16 he needs me less so I can say I’ll be back at 2am and he’ll be fine.
If I’m not back at all, even better – he’ll get some mates round. There’s a lot less weight on my shoulders. I don’t drink, which is the biggest blessing because it means I don’t get a hangover the next day. I put in two or three nights in a row.”
Amanda and Davina certainly disprove the notion that women in their fifties have their best days behind them.
They take great pleasure in sticking the middle finger to social constraints that suggest ‘middle aged’ women should dress in a certain way.
Amanda’s plunging necklines and skyscraper splits make regular headlines, with one of her BGT dress choices receiving 235 Ofcom complaints. And she’s so body confident she regularly cooks naked in her house.
“That really p****s me off,” says Amanda, rolling her eyes.
“Age shouldn’t come into anything that makes you feel better, especially what you choose to wear. I’ve always had my own beauty standards.
"It’s a self-preservation and dignity thing. I spend a lot of time naked in my house. The naked cooking is normally in barbecue season because I’m sunbathing, then I have to come in and do the tea!”
Davina adds, “I wear miniskirts and I’m 55. I didn’t wear miniskirts in my forties because I thought my legs couldn’t carry it off. My legs look worse than they did, my skin is crepey, but I don’t care! I think I look fabulous. There’s been a wonderful surge of body positivity. My daughters have got me following influencers on YouTube and TikTok who are showing off their bodies.
"It’s amazing. I remember how awful I felt because it took me two years to shrink back after I had babies. I was the size
of a house. I regret stressing about it so much. As I’ve got older, I’ve grown in confidence. I wear what I want and if someone looks at me funny it’s a turn-on. I’m like, ‘Yeah, you struggle with that!’ For party season, it’s anything glittery for me. That silver dress I wore here on this JD Williams shoot is my absolute No1 Christmas favourite. ‘Tis the season for sequins – especially with
a JD price tag.”
Christmas will be a welcome break. Davina is celebrating 30 years on screen, having landed her first job on MTV in 1992 and has gone on to front shows ranging from Big Brother to The Million Pound Drop.
"hen there’s her wellness empire and her digital health platform, Own Your Goals. Amanda’s radio show – Heart Breakfast With Jamie Theakston & Amanda Holden – is the biggest commercial radio programme in the UK.
She is also a judge on the BBC ’s I Can See Your Voice. So how do they spend Christmas Day? Is it festive PJs or all-out glamour?
“I’ll let you guess what I do,” jokes Amanda. “I will always be dressed up. Every year, my husband has to get me something new to wear on the day. He’s got good taste for me, but not in his own fashion. His idea is tracksuit bottoms, an Incredible Hulk T-shirt and flip flops. I’m like, ‘Come on!’”
Davina pulls out a Santa outfit she casually has to hand. “I wear this then there’s at least two more outfits after. I have two trees – my Disney tree is epic. It’s just covered in Disney paraphernalia. Sometimes, my kids go to their dad’s but this year we have them here. We always do stockings in the morning in my bedroom, smoked salmon on bread and champagne – I’ve found a non-alcoholic champagne I like so I can join in. Then lunch about 3pm, games after and then picky bits and dancing for anybody who’s still conscious.”
Amanda adds, “I have two trees too. One tree is for my girls – they’re allowed to put any old s**t on it. Then there’s the posh one in my lounge that touches the ceiling for everyone to see. Every single person and furry thing in my house gets a stocking. I have Christmas tunes on from November – it’s always Michael Bublé or Frank Sinatra on Christmas Day.”
So will December 25 be as kinky as her barbecues?
“When there are in-laws around I’m less with everything hanging out,” says Amanda.
“Chris can’t cook at all. If I’m working all day, I have to prep food for the kids because his idea of food is taramasalata, toast and a bag of Haribo!”
