British TV star fights for life after caesarean section

Amanda Holden was said to be out of danger last night after being critically ill for three days following the birth of her second daughter. And friends told how they feared for her life when her condition rapidly deteriorated after 6lb 1oz Hollie Rose was delivered by caesarean section weeks ahead of schedule.

One said: “It has been a really terrible time since the birth and Amanda’s been in a really bad way. It was touch and go at one point.

“She has only just begun to recover and so work and everything else is of no concern. We just want her to get better and to spend some time with Hollie.” It is believed she lost a lot of blood due to complications from a pre-existing condition. The baby’s birth was kept secret by Amanda’s family while she was so ill.

One source close to the stage and TV star said: “She has been brave and only began to show signs of recovery yesterday afternoon. Her condition is no longer critical but stable.” Amanda Holden arriving for the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Awards

Amanda, who has had two miscarriages in two years, revealed after the birth of her first daughter Lexi that she suffered from placenta previa – a condition in which a low-lying placenta blocks the birth canal.

She is still in hospital and is expected to need weeks of rest to recover from her ordeal. It means she may miss the rest of the Britain’s Got Talent auditions, which end on February 19 in Birmingham. But she could make a triumphant return when the show’s live finals return in April.

A statement on behalf of Amanda and husband Chris Hughes confirmed that Hollie Rose was doing fine and that Amanda is expected to make a full recovery “very soon”.