Amanda Holden is ‘rooting’ for ‘wonderful’ Caroline Quentin on Strictly

Amanda Holden has thrown her support behind Caroline Quentin after the actress was announced as the first contestant to be taking part on Strictly Come Dancing 2020.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Amanda – who acted alongside Caroline in the 1998-2001 BBC sitcom Kiss Me Kate – said: ‘I’ll be rooting for her – she’s a wonderful human being!’

Amanda, 49, added: ‘She was a real inspiration to me when I started out in my career.

‘She is a great example of a strong fierce funny woman and I hope she smashes it!’

Amanda starred as Caroline’s assistant Mel in the comedy series, which followed titular Kate Salinger’s job as a counselor.

Amanda also acted in two episodes of Jonathan Creek in 1998, opposite Caroline, who played Maddy Magellan. 

Caroline was announced alongside Max George and Jason Bell as the first three celebrities to take part in Strictly 2020 on Tuesday’s instalment of The One Show – following months of uncertainty amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Caroline explained that she used to do ballet as a girl, as well as tap and modern dance, but is worried her knees will let her down.

‘I’ve been keeping it very quiet and it’s really difficult as I like a chat, as you well know, and it’s been so hard to be quiet about it. I’m a bit scared, but quite excited,’ the Men Behaving Badly actress told The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Amol Rajan.    

She added: ‘I do remember some of what I learned [dancing] but my knees are 50 years older than the last time I attempted any of it, and it’s my knees and my undergarments that are troubling me most as a notion.

‘I hope my knees don’t let me down and I hope the foundation garments live up to expectations when I start leaping about!’

Caroline is perhaps best known for her role on sitcom Men Behaving Badly – on which she played the long-suffering girlfriend of Martin Clunes.