Amanda Holden on unpopular X Factor changes
Simon Cowell has made huge changes to The X Factor this year.
Unfortunately, the Prize Fight sing-off, double eliminations and the decision to make this series the shortest ever hasn't gone down all that well with viewers.
During an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, the music mogul's close pal Amanda Holden opened up about why the drastic modifications were necessary, despite the fact Simon never tampers with Britain's Got Talent.
"I suppose The X Factor is a more dynamic, hard-hitting show," she explained. "It's the music industry – that's how it is.
"Also, Simon is the king of chop and change. He's always thinking of ways to improve."
She added: "The X Factor is a different ball game to watching naked jugglers on Britain's Got Talent.
"On BGT, it's important that the judges are connected because we're like a family. Too much change wouldn't be good for our family and Simon knows that, so there's not much he can change."
However, the same rules clearly don't apply to X Factor.
Earlier on this series, Simon caused controversy amongst fans by asking BGT star Alesha Dixon to fill in for him in his absence instead of former judge Cheryl.
Many saw the move as a snub – but Amanda insisted there genuinely isn't any bad blood as Simon "adores" Cheryl.
As for Alesha jumping ship from BGT to X Factor, Amanda admitted she "enjoyed" watching her co-judge on the series.
"Simon works best when he has people around him that he can have a laugh with behind-the-scenes," she continued. "When Simon is happy, everyone is happy.
"I love Sharon [Osbourne], Nicole [Scherzinger] is nuts and just brilliant and Louis [Walsh] is Simon's right-hand man. I think [the current panel] works.
Following last night's X Factor double elimination results, the new series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! launched (November 20) – and Amanda is a huge fan.
Although she has previously been asked to take part in the show, the actress confirmed to DS that we will never see her walk into the jungle.
"I'm not that stupid," she laughed. "I prefer eating cake and drinking wine while watching the show from afar."
Instead of jetting Down Under, Amanda is planning to team up with Macmillan this month to work on the charity's Light Sky initiative with npower.
The project invites members of the public to write a message to loved ones, which are then transformed into 3D holographic animations and propelled above the London skyline.
Amanda commented: "The messages will be up for three days. It's going to be so beautiful, like graffiti in the sky I suppose.
"I think it's an ingenious idea. It's an alternative Christmas lights basically. I love the sentiment of getting messages of love and hope, and beaming them into the sky because a lot of children will feel those message can be seen by loved ones they've lost."
If you want to take part, click here to submit your message and make the suggested donation of £4.
Donations will go to Macmillan, whose partnership with npower helps people with cancer keep warm without the worry, by offering energy advice and helping to source funding such as Macmillan Grants for Fuel.
Amanda will be opening the Light Sky by sharing her own personal message on November 29 at the Observation Point on London's South Bank.
"I think I will take my kids with me so they can see the message beam up," she added. "It's such a beautiful idea."
The X Factor is on ITV, Saturdays and Sundays.
Amanda Holden launches npower's Light Sky campaign in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Donate and submit your message of love NOW to illuminate London's Southbank from November 29 to December 1 at npower.com/lightsky.
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