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'It's not easy missing bedtime'

Amanda Holden on struggling with working-mum guilt and getting consolation from Victoria Beckham

The Fabulous columnist also talks doing yoga with her dogs

SHE'S already my number-one celebrity girl crush, but I’d love to high-five Victoria Beckham right now.

In a new interview, she’s said what I and lots of other working mums think – that mothers should never feel guilty about going out to work.

 Amanda admits she has a girl crush on Victoria Beckham
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Amanda admits she has a girl crush on Victoria BeckhamCredit: GETTY IMAGES

Instead, we should feel proud that we’re inspiring our children.

Recently, because I’ve been so busy rushing from one job to the next and not spending as much time as I’d like with Lexi and Hollie, that guilt has started to creep in, so VB’s comments couldn’t
have come at a better moment for me.

 Amanda often works away for Britain's Got Talent
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Amanda often works away for Britain's Got TalentCredit: REX FEATURES

She’s reminded me that not only do I work because I love my job and value being able to earn my own money, but also so I can give my daughters the best possible life and set an example to them.

It’s not easy missing their bedtime or having to FaceTime school plays when I’m working away for Britain’s Got Talent.

But I always explain to the girls it’s so they can have nice holidays and go to fantastic schools, and will help them learn that if they work hard, good things will come to them too.

Speaking of work, the West End run of Stepping Out is forcing me into a super-healthy lifestyle at the moment, which is no bad thing.

The big dance routines in the show are keeping me in shape, and I’ve imposed a booze ban because I’m so tired when I get home from the theatre at night that the last thing I want is my usual glass of wine.

 She says that Stepping Out is forcing her into a healthy lifestyle
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She says that Stepping Out is forcing her into a healthy lifestyleCredit: INSTAGRAM/AMANDAHOLDEN

Instead, Chris waits up with a cup of peppermint tea for me before I collapse into bed.

I’m being really strict about setting aside an hour every day when the girls are at school for a session of kundalini yoga with my instructor Ashley, who comes to my home.

I discovered it in LA several years ago, and for me the biggest benefit is it forces me to be calm and just take some time out from everything.

The only problem is my dogs Rudie and Buddy like to join in and lick my face when I’m trying to find my inner Zen!

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