Amanda Holden has revealed that she and husband Chris Hughes lead "separate lives" due to their busy schedules, despite being happily married.
The Britain's Got Talent star made the candid admission whilst discussing how the couple find innovative ways to reconnect.
Holden, who has been married to Hughes for over 20 years after tying the knot in 2008, explained that their differing schedules often keep them apart.
The revelation came as she shared that Hughes had proposed they spend more quality time together to make up for time lost to work commitments.
In a surprising move to bridge their separate lives, Chris enrolled the couple in badminton sessions, with their first game taking place last month, marking a new chapter in their relationship.
This unconventional date night came after Holden admitted they needed a shared hobby during a Heart Radio broadcast and said: "[Chris] said to me, 'We need to do more together, we need a hobby'."
The couple have started badminton together
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The initiative follows years of the couple pursuing individual interests, with Holden enjoying her Peloton and running while Hughes plays squash -both maintaining demanding careers that have contributed to their often separate schedules.
Following their match, Holden gushed about the experience on Heart Radio and said: "We just got into the swing of it, and we absolutely loved it.
"We played for a good solid hour, we just knocked about a bit, we just played about. He won 21-15, but I thought that wasn't bad for me."
The TV star even sought advice from a badminton coach named Leon during the programme, with the star expressing her enthusiasm about continuing their new shared activity.
The couple share two daughters together Lexi and Holly
"This is the start of a beautiful... yes... we've just got to find the time each week, as obviously that is where we struggle," she said.
"Honestly, we had such a laugh, and then all night we were saying how much we loved it."
The couple share two daughters, 19-year-old Lexie and 12-year-old Hollie.
Holden previously explained on Heart Radio how their busy lives had naturally drifted apart.
"I've been married for over 20 years, well I met him in 2003, I can't work it out," she said.
"Anyway, a long time, and our lives have been very separate for a long time because we're both very busy."
The star often posts her daughters on her Instagram account
Despite their separate schedules, she was quick to clarify their relationship status.
"Obviously, we're very happily married, but we do lots of things separately," she confirmed.
