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Amanda Holden attends The Fashion Awards© Getty

Amanda Holden pays tribute to 'rainbow baby' Hollie on 12th birthday after backlash

It's a big month in the Holden household

Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
January 23, 2024
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Just days after celebrating her eldest daughter Lexi's 18th birthday, attention turned towards Amanda Holden's second daughter Hollie who turned 12 on Tuesday. 

The Britain's Got Talent judge took to her Instagram page to share a collage of throwback pictures, with Katy Perry's song Fireworks playing in the background. In the caption, she gushed about her "rainbow baby," which means a baby born following a miscarriage.

View post on Instagram
 

"My youngest is 12 today!! #January babies. #HRH Hollie Rose Hughes," wrote Amanda. "You burst into our lives this day and brought us sooo much happiness and joy [rainbow emoji] our rainbow baby. 

"Our light. You're the most funny ,clever & beautiful girl. Cartwheeling in the garden and ruining all socks!.(obsessed with skin care at 11!!! And desperate for TikTok! (you're still not having it.) But @drunkelephant and @soldejaneiro coming your way this morning. We love you so much. Mama & Dada xx." 

Amanda Holden and her two daughters pretending to be scared© Instagram
Amanda shares two daughters with husband Chris

Amanda and her record producer husband Chris Hughes share two daughters, Lexi and Hollie. The pair met in Los Angeles back in 2003 and began dating a year later. They tied the knot in December 2008, with their one-year-old daughter Lexi in attendance. 

However, in 2011, the couple sadly lost son Theo, who was stillborn at seven months. A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. According to the NHS, it happens in around 1 in every 200 births in England. If the baby dies before 24 completed weeks, it's known as a miscarriage or late foetal loss. 

Baby movements during pregnancy*

When women start to feel baby movements

Most women usually begin to feel their baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Movements can be described as anything from a kick, flutter, swish or roll. The type of movement may change as pregnancy progresses.

How often should the baby move? 

There is no set number of normal movements. From 16-24 weeks on, women should feel the baby move more and more up until 32 weeks. The frequency should then stay roughly the same until birth. Women should pay attention to how their baby moves as if the frequency changes, it can be a sign the baby is struggling or unwell. Around half of women who have suffered stillbirth noticed their baby's movements had slowed or stopped. 

MYTH: BABIES DO NOT MOVE LESS TOWARDS THE END OF PREGANCY OR IN LABOUR

What is the science behind the importance of baby movements?

Oxygen is delivered to the baby from the placenta via the umbilical chord. If this oxygen supply becomes compromised, a baby can start to move less frequently to conserve energy.

WARNING: DO NOT USE HANDHELD MONITORS, DOPPLERS OR PHONE APPS TO CHECK A BABY'S HEARTBEAT. EVEN IF A HEARTBEAT IS DETECTED, IT DOES NOT MEAN THE BABY IS UNWELL. 

What if a baby's movements slow down or stop?

Concerned women should speak to their midwife or maternity unit immediately. There is always a midwife available, even at night. 

What if concerns over movements persist after an initial check?

Concerned women should again speak to their midwife or maternity unit straightaway, even if everything was normal last time, and no matter how many times they have got in touch previously.

* Guidelines produced by baby loss charity Tommy's in conjunction with the NHS.

A year later in 2012, both Amanda and Chris welcomed their second daughter Hollie. The radio presenter often shares sweet insights into their family life on social media.

Over the weekend, Amanda threw her daughter Lexi an 18th birthday bash to remember, where she was seen dancing to Sophie Ellis-Bextor's hit song Murder on the Dancefloor. She wrote: "The latest trend. #murderonthedancefloor @lexi.hughes_official 18th … enjoy the entire long version with all guests is on my TikTok account…" Watch the clip below

WATCH: Amanda Holden dances the night away at daughter Lexi's 18th birthday

Upon uploading the post, Amanda received some backlash from fans – and ITV host Lorraine Kelly. During the showbiz segment with Tyler West, viewers were shown the clip. "It was great. I have no words for this. I have no words for that performance right there," he told Lorraine. 

"The thing is, I could never imagine my mum walking into my 18th birthday party going, 'Look guys, I know you've all seen Saltburn, here's my performance.'" 

Surprised and in shock, Lorraine laughed: "It's like, 'Muuum! Mum, stop it!' She's hilarious." One fan quipped: "Mum at 18th birthday party!! Stealing show bit cringy." A second wrote: "Oh dear MUM... Me thinks you don't know your place. It's really NOT about YOU..." 

Amanda holden and chris hughes at battersea dogs home gala © Getty
Amanda and Chris married in 2008

But others were quick to defend Amanda, with one writing: "Shocking comments, clearly people who want to make judgmental comments are the ones who are embarrassing… she's having a fabulous night with her family & friends & let the woman enjoy it… I would be getting down with all my daughters friends too!!! Enjoy life, share love not hate." 

Another post read: "Love this, I had a great relationship with my Mum and I was very proud of her as I imagine your daughter is of you too. A 18th to remember, singing, dancing, being around friends! I hope you all had a great time."

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