Amanda Holden has opened up on Who Do You Think You Are? about her grandfather’s suicide after he was i... (original) (raw)
WHEN it comes to family, AMANDA HOLDEN has had a tough few years.
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Who Do You Think You Are... Amanda delves into her past on the BBC1 showCredit: BBC
Now the BGT judge has made a heart-breaking discovery about her grandfather’s suicide 40 years ago.
During the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?, Amanda learns that Frank Holden Snr suffered from post- traumatic stress disorder after he was involved in the worst disasters in British maritime history.
The star is left reeling as she learns her grandfather, who was in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War Two, took his own life after witnessing thousands drown when RMS Lancastria sank in 1940.
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Amanda and her sister DebbieCredit: The Picture Library Ltd.
Amanda and her sister have become very close in recent years
Frank was among those who had crammed on to the ship, which was bombed by the Germans near the French port of Saint-Nazaire.
When does Who Do You Think You Are? series 13 start on BBC1 and which celebs are on the show?
Amanda said: “My grandfather was a survivor. He was one of the lucky ones from this disaster and I hope this story will keep the memory alive of those 4,000 who didn’t make it back.
“It’s odd that I never got to meet him, because that goes against what I feel about him now and what I’ve learned about him.
“I think the sad irony is that he endured so much during the war but wasn’t able to save himself.
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Amanda's grandfather, Frank snr, who was in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War Two, took his own life after witnessing thousands drown when RMS Lancastria sank in 1940Credit: Early Release
“Maybe all the trauma he witnessed and everybody else’s problems was too much for him to bear.”
Earlier this week, I revealed that the EastEnders hardman was left sobbing after learning his great-great-grandmother hid her dead baby in a bucket.
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Danny Dyer... EastEnders hardman was left sobbing after learning on the show that his great-great-grandmother hid her dead baby in a bucketCredit: Getty Images
Amanda, below, said that she was also stunned to find such poignant information about her family.
She added: “I thought post-traumatic stress syndrome and mental health care with the Army and all our Armed Forces was a relatively new idea. I thought they just kind of told you to get on with it back then, so I learned an awful lot.
“I think the most poignant and interesting thing was the fact that he was shipwrecked.
“I just can’t imagine what it was like for Frank and all those thousands of people. I mean, it must have been absolutely terrifying.
“But the thing I don’t really understand is that this is a bigger disaster than the Titanic, and yet I’ve never heard of it.”
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Mel has the flex factor
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Mel B shows off her toned torso ahead of the Aussie X Factor grand finalCredit: Splash News
MEL B is limbering up in preparation for the Aussie X Factor grand final.
She mentors the show’s Underdogs category and it is very aptly named – her only remaining act, teenager Vlado Saric, has the slimmest odds to win on Sunday night.
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Credit: Splash News
But the former SPICE GIRL seemed to be hoping for a knockout during an exercise session in a Sydney park.
At one point she even channelled her inner SYLVESTER STALLONE by doing a spot of boxing, right. I know Mel won’t go down without a fight.
Danny's six pack waltzes off
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Strictly off limits... Danny Mac will not be showing off his abs again on Strictly Come Dancing... and we can tell you why
DANNY MAC keeps insisting he will not be performing topless again on Strictly Come Dancing – and now I know why.
The former Hollyoaks star, who flashed his bare chest during the show’s launch in September says he has now lost his hunky six-pack.
He said: “My body has changed but my muscles and six-pack have probably dwindled. I haven’t been lifting weights. I have been dancing with my legs. I haven’t had time to go to the gym – the rehearsal room is my gym.”
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Danny, who is partnered with Oti Mabuse, is one of the favourites to lift the Glitterball trophyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Danny, who is partnered with OTI MABUSE and one of the favourites to lift the Glitterball trophy, also denied that his previous dance training gave him an unfair advantage. He said: “I was never going to be good enough for the show. You can’t learn everything I needed to in three years.
“Besides, this is ballroom and Latin, which we didn’t even touch on at drama school.
“I learned the bare basics for auditions.”
I reckon he looked like a semi-pro dancer from the first week.
Sugar's pair of boots
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A cut-throat double elimination saw project manager Karthik Nagesan booted out before the final deliberation
LORD SUGAR’s firing finger worked overtime last night.
A cut-throat double elimination saw project manager KARTHIK NAGESAN booted out before the final deliberation.
It followed a diabolical loss of more than £40,000 in the boat show sales task.
The IT consultancy owner confessed it was a “s*** storm” and the boss dubbed it one of the worst results in the show’s history.
Karthik admitted: “I had a deplorable day at work, a very bad day as a project manager.
“Not only that, I also dragged someone else down with me. When I exit, it is a big scene.”
Despite his nautical surname, SAMUEL BOATENG promptly followed Karthik after the team failed to shift any Jet Skis and just £188.90 worth of water sports accessories.
Their rivals only needed to sell two boats to thrash them.
And while Karthik regretted not stripping his trousers off to sell more towels, his teammate said he was relieved.
Samuel said: “I’m grateful he didn’t.
“It would not have sold £40,000 worth of fish-shaped cushions and towels.”
He’s not wrong.
