Royal Variety Performance viewers furiously branded new presenters Amanda Holden and Alan Carr ‘terrible’ after they made their debut as presenters on Sunday night.
The TV personality, 53, and comedian, 48, opened the show with a series of woke jokes, which many labeled ‘awkward’ as they demanded the return of Bradley Walsh, 64, who will host the show in 2023.
The annual fundraising event featured a range of familiar faces including sir Elton John, Ted Lasso‘S Ellie TaylorAnd Britain has talent winner Sydnie Christmas performing for King Charles.
Alan started the show at the Royal Albert Hall, which was filmed in November, by making fun of Amanda’s racy dress, declaring it was ‘just on the right side of an Ofcom complaint’.
He continued, “I feel a great sense of comfort and security when I share a stage with you. It’s a high-profile event and if Just Stop Oil comes on stage, I can use you as my human shield.”
While Amanda joked: “Well, good luck to them because I’ll end up being their first victim to end up less orange.”
Royal Variety Performance viewers furiously branded new presenters Amanda Holden, 53, and Alan Carr, 48, ‘terrible’ after they made their debut as hosts on Sunday evening
The duo opened the show with a series of jokes, which many labeled ‘awkward’, as they demanded the return of Bradley Walsh, 64, who presented the show in 2023 (pictured)
Racing to Just not funny. Why do they present: ‘Well, Alan Carr and Amanda Holden are absolutely terrible. This opening is so difficult’.
While someone else wrote: ‘Honestly who thought Alan Carr and Amanda Holden were the right choice for this? They may be good at other things, but the Royal Variety Performance needs presenters with the right balance of class and charisma. Bradley Walsh would have been perfect for the job.”
It comes after she admitted her daring outfit for the Royal Variety Performance could trigger Ofcom complaints.
Known for her bold fashion choices, she originally considered a Julien Macdonald dress with a plunging neckline and a backless design for the glitzy evening, but ultimately opted for a metallic strapless dress with a winged neckline.
The strapless Lurex dress from Khaled and Marwin couture, which retailed for more than £3,000, featured a fitted bodice, a long column skirt and a huge embellishment down the front and centre.
Speak with TVMag from The SunAmanda joked about her outfit, saying: ‘My outfit is absolutely glamorous – hopefully no one complains to Ofcom!’
It wouldn’t be the first time Amanda’s daring style has sparked complaints: one dress worn on Britain’s Got Talent in 2017 sparked almost 700 Ofcom reports.
Speaking about their excitement of the evening and being in the same room as a Royal, Alan teased about Amanda’s bending plans and joked that she might not be able to bend low ‘in that outfit’.
Alan started the Royal Albert Hall show, which was filmed in November, by making fun of Amanda’s racy dress, declaring this was ‘just on the right side of an Ofcom complaint’.
The annual fundraising event saw a range of famous faces perform for King Charles
Sir Elton John (C) and husband David Furnish (R) introduced the cast of his new musical The Devil Wears Prada led by Vanessa Williams (L)
CBB and West End star Marisha Wallace also performed
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Amanda also opened up about an embarrassing wardrobe mishap from her theater days, recalling a moment when her dress slipped during a conversation with former Conservative Party leader William Haag.
She joked: “He was chatting, looked me straight in the eye, and one of my boobs was hanging out!
But she assured fans that: ‘Nothing will fall out at the Royal Variety!’
Despite Amanda’s wardrobe leading to some controversial moments in the past, she has defended her racy fashion choices in the past, saying: ‘Fashion is about taking risks. I encourage everyone to have a little fun and be a little daring. I would find it boring to play it safe.’
She also admits that her “sense of humor” helps her deal with the backlash.
Four years ago, the star explained that she has her own ‘committee’ of people who come to check her outfits before a show.
While she took viewers’ opinions into account, Amanda admitted that she can “see what people are thinking.”
Here’s a look back at some of her most complained about outfit choices.