Amanda Holden lands £1MILLION music contract after record company bidding war
AMANDA Holden is launching a music career – after signing a £1million deal with Virgin EMI.
The Sun revealed in February the Britain’s Got Talent judge was the subject of a bidding war between Warner, Sony and Universal after a singalong she filmed went viral.
But Virgin swooped in at the last minute to sign her up – and I hear she is over the moon to be working on her debut album. A source told me: “Amanda only signed the deal a matter of weeks ago but she is very excited and can’t wait to get going.”
It is the latest big news for Amanda after she joined Heart Radio to host the breakfast show with Jamie Theakston last month. Interest in Amanda was sparked when she filmed and posted online a version of Tightrope from hit film The Greatest Showman to celebrate her tenth wedding anniversary with husband Chris Hughes.
The video, which featured their two daughters, clocked up almost 1.5million views on social media and it wasn’t long before music execs were scrapping over her.
Amanda sought the advice of BGT boss Simon Cowell before going ahead and only signed on the dotted line after the X Factor boss encouraged her to go for it.
My source said: “Simon was almost the first person Amanda spoke to. Amid all the excitement, she wanted an honest opinion from someone she trusts. He told her to absolutely go for it and said she has his full backing.”
I’m guessing Phillip Schofield won’t be first in line to nab a copy after their recent feud.
Bucking great party, Tamara
TAMARA Ecclestone was never going to celebrate turning 35 with bottles of vodka and a 6am bucket of chips. So it’s no surprise sister Petra threw her a bash to remember . . . even if some of her guests won’t.
The heiress, below left with Tamara and a birthday cake, blew £150,000 on last month’s do, splashing out on a bucking bronco, casino, top DJs and naked cowboys pouring shots of tequila.
The over-the-top party – themed “parents gone wild” – was held in a marquee in the garden of Petra’s London home and also featured a sit-down dinner. One reveller told me: “The party went on until the early hours and some people were literally passed out at the end.”
And to help with their hangovers, Tamara’s pals were treated to a recovery day. No expense was spared on massages, £180 IV drips and facials, while a special creche kept kids occupied while their parents recovered.
Is anyone else thinking they need new friends?
Lukas: Brad gossip is Gaga
THE rumour mill has been spinning fast since Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper did that duet of Shallow at the Oscars. But Lukas Nelson reckons the pair are telling the truth about not being a couple, insisting: “I know they are not a thing.”
Lukas, who inspired Bradley’s Jackson Maine character in A Star Is Born, remains pals with the movie’s leads, though his relationship with Hollywood has changed.
He told me this week: “I love everyone that was a part of A Star Is Born. But in Hollywood it’s not about art. People will step on each other.” The singer – son of country star Willie Nelson – played at Hyde Park last week with his band Promise Of The Real and Neil Young.
He said: “Neil is true to himself. So are my dad and Bob Dylan. You just have to go as long as you can, believing what you believe.”
LP's swift defence of Taylor
AMERICAN singer LP has backed Taylor Swift in her battle for songwriters’ rights, saying: “I’ll always stand behind any artist who will stand up for themselves.”
Taylor, who forced Apple Music to reverse its royalty policy in 2015, took aim at Scooter Braun earlier this month after the agent bought up her catalogue of songs.
LP, who has written hits for Cher, Rihanna and Backstreet Boys, told me: “We need more people like Taylor. When she took on Apple Music, she had the platform and strength to withstand the criticism and backlash. That was pretty badass of her.
“When it comes to Scooter . . . I want the people who write music to be in charge of it. I’m not going to say, ‘F*** Scooter!’ because he’s one of the dream-makers. But I think everyone knows when someone is getting a little too greedy.”
LP has worked in the music industry since 2000 but saw her career as an artist take off when 2015 single Lost On You exploded, racking up more than 500million streams.
She is performing at Latitude Festival next weekend and promised to put on “a proper rock show”, as well as some serious pyrotechnics. I can’t wait.
Lionel for diamonds
GIRLBAND Four of Diamonds got a boost when they bumped into Lionel Richie backstage at British Summer Time in Hyde Park last week.
The Hello hitmaker sprinkled gold dust on Lauren Rammell, Sophia Saffarian, Caroline Alvares and Yasmin Broom after saying he had “a good feeling” about their future.
Lauren told me: “Apparently, he hasn’t done that for a girlband since he met the Spice Girls.”
The girls, who are working on their debut album with Jonas Blue, will play The Borderline in London’s Soho on Wednesday. And it isn’t just Lionel who has a good feeling about them. They also got advice from Little Mix when they met their fellow former X Factor stars.
Sophia said: “Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock were really supportive.” Watch this space.
Gypsy Wedding star in the Jungle
PADDY Doherty is in talks to appear on I’m A Celebrity this year, I can reveal.
The former bare-knuckle boxer, who appeared in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, has been approached by ITV chiefs.
My sources say: “The bosses think Paddy would be a great signing for I’m A Celeb. He’s so opinionated – he would be bound to clash with someone in the camp. And him doing the trials could be brilliant TV.
“It’s still early days but Paddy has been approached about the jungle in previous years. Maybe this is the year for him.”
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