Amanda Holden was overcome with emotion as she opened up about the loss of her beloved grandparents during a heartfelt moment on Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job.
The 54-year-old presenter shared her grief while visiting Granada, Spain, alongside her close friend and co-host, Alan Carr.
During the latest episode of the BBC home renovation series, Amanda took a poignant trip down memory lane, revisiting a place that held deep sentimental value for her family.
Her maternal grandparents had traveled to Granada back in 1983, and Amanda brought along a collection of old photographs taken by her grandfather during their holiday.
Looking at the images, she couldn’t hold back her tears as she reflected on the memories and the loss she still feels.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Her Grandparents
As Amanda and Alan explored the Andalusian city, she pulled out a selection of cherished photographs. Some images showed the very same spots they were visiting, while another captured her grandmother, Ethel, joyfully swimming in the sea.
“My grandad used to take photographs all the time and he would write on the back of them,” Amanda explained. She fondly recalled how, as a family, they would tease him for his habit, but she always told her mother that one day they would all be grateful for these memories.
One particular photo struck an emotional chord with Amanda—the picture of her grandmother stepping out of the sea. “When I see my Nan coming out of the water, I remember her as this vibrant, go-getting woman. She was so feisty and stubborn right until she died at 97,” Amanda said, choking back tears.
The Pain of Losing Loved Ones
As she continued reminiscing, Amanda shared how much she misses her grandparents and acknowledged that people often take their loved ones for granted.
“When they’re around, you don’t think about them not being there one day,” she said. “The luckiest thing for me was that I actually had grandparents. But then, one day, they’re just gone.”
Her emotions got the better of her, and she admitted, “I feel a bit teary,” prompting Alan to give her a comforting hug.
A Close Bond That Lives On
Amanda had an incredibly close relationship with her grandmother, Ethel, and was devastated when she passed away in July 2018 at the age of 97. At the time, she paid a touching tribute on Instagram, writing:
“All the stars we steal from the night sky will never be enough… My darling Nanny has left us. She will live in our hearts forever.”
Prior to her passing, Amanda often spoke about her grandmother’s strong personality and the impact she had on her life. In a 2017 column for The Sun, she described Ethel as her “ultimate role model” and shared how involved she still was in her life, even FaceTiming her regularly to offer opinions on everything from fashion to her hairstyle.
“Nan worked full-time in administration at an ice cream factory while raising a family,” Amanda wrote. “I can only hope I’m as good a role model to my girls as she has been to me.”
Holding on to Precious Memories
For Amanda, returning to the places her grandparents once visited was both emotional and cathartic. While the pain of their absence remains, moments like these allow her to celebrate their lives and the love they shared as a family.
Through her grief, Amanda remains grateful for the strong foundation her grandparents gave her, and she hopes to carry their legacy forward, both in her own life and as a mother to her two daughters, Lexi, 19, and Hollie, 13, whom she shares with her husband, Chris Hughes.
Her emotional moment on Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job served as a reminder of the power of family bonds and the lasting impact of cherished memories. While the pain of losing loved ones never truly fades, holding onto the joy they brought can be a source of comfort and strength.
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