Amanda Holden joked she hoped that she would not “fall out” of her dress during her first Royal Variety presenting gig – claiming she feared Ofcom complaints from viewers.
Holden and Alan Carr’s debut as hosts of the Royal Variety Performance sparked wide criticism from ITV viewers, with many branding their opening routine “painful” and “embarrassing”.
The annual show, which aired on Sunday night, saw the duo take over from previous host Bradley Walsh at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
King Charles III attended the prestigious event solo, as Queen Camilla was absent due to illness at the time of filming last month.
Holden’s choice of attire for the evening drew a lot of attention – a £3,000 strapless silver Lurex dress from Khaled and Marwin couture, featuring a winged neckline and fitted bodice.
Speaking to The Sun’s TV Mag ahead of the show, Holden joked: “My outfit is definitely glamorous – hopefully nobody complains to Ofcom!”
The pair were thrilled to be presenting the iconic show
The presenter expressed concerns about potential wardrobe malfunctions during the royal curtsy, with Carr teasing: “You might not be able to in your outfit!”
“Can you imagine if I fell out?” Holden responded, before assuring viewers: “Nothing will be falling out at the Royal Variety!”
Within moments of their opening set, viewers took to social media to slam the pair’s jokes, with one describing the start as “absolutely dreadful” on X, formerly Twitter.
The pair’s opening routine included Carr joking that Holden looked like his “carer” before she quipped back they looked like a “disappointing Love Island couple”.
Carr then made light of potential protests, saying he could use Holden as a “human shield” if Just Stop Oil stormed the stage, to which she responded: “Well, good luck to them because I will end up being their first victim who ends up less orange.”
“We have hit rock bottom I see @ITV with the Royal Variety Performance,” one viewer wrote on X.
Another added: “Well, Alan Carr and Amanda Holden are absolutely dreadful. This opening is so awkward.”
However, some viewers defended the duo, with one praising their “brilliant opening skit.”
Viewers took to social media to demand the return of Bradley Walsh, who hosted the show in 2023.
“Honestly, who thought Alan Carr and Amanda Holden were the right choice for this?” one viewer wrote on X. “The Royal Variety Performance needs presenters with the right balance of class and charisma. Bradley Walsh would have been perfect for the job.”
Some viewers suggested switching channels, with one defender responding: “People either need to stop complaining or change channels you sad individuals.”
The show featured performances from an array of stars, including Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas and Sir Elton John, who introduced the cast of his new musical The Devil Wears Prada.
Other acts included Starlight Express, James Bay, and Stephen Mulhern, alongside performances from Cirque Du Soleil and the English National Ballet.
