Amanda expecting again after miscarriage tragedy

The star, who said she and husband Chris Hughes were "delighted", will curtail her run in Shrek The Musical in London's West End as a result.

Today's confirmation comes just six months after she was devastated to lose a baby seven months into her pregnancy.

She said the past few months had been "unbelievably difficult" as they came to terms with their loss. Holden (40) lost a baby boy in February. The child had stopped moving and was later stillborn.

It was a further blow after Holden -- who has a daughter Lexi (5) -- suffered a miscarriage in 2010.

Announcing her new pregnancy, she said: "Chris and I are delighted to announce that I am pregnant and we are expecting a little girl.

"The first half of this year has been unbelievably difficult for us.

"We would like to thank everyone for their support, it has been so incredible and we really are beyond thrilled to share this news."

It is not known how far she is into the pregnancy but she has passed the three-month stage.

Holden, whose TV hits include Cutting It and Amanda Holden's Fantasy Lives, has been starring in Shrek as green-skinned Princess Fiona since early May.

She will step down from the show in October and is due to be replaced by Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh.

hnews@herald.ie