Amanda Holden set to become a mum for a third time as she adopts puppy as 'replacement daughter' as Lexi, 18, leaves the nest for university

Amanda Holden is set to become a mum for third time as the star prepares to foster a dog from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. 

The presenter, 53, bid an emotional goodbye to her daughter Lexi, 18, at the weekend who has headed off to university.

And the star admitted on Heart Breakfast on Monday morning the news that she's 'replacing' her by fostering a new puppy from the animal charity. 

Explaining how she organised it all behind her husband Chris' back, she joked: 'Yes it is a replacement for my eldest daughter whose gone to university.'

Retelling the heartwarming story of how three puppies had been dumped outside the doors of the charity she revealed they will be picking up the pooch today. 

Chatting with host Jason King, she began: 'I sat at the table, and I said "whilst we're all feeling stressed and emotional. There's something Chris I need to tell you"…the children already knew. 

'They put their hands to their mouths and said "Mummy don't do it now!"' 

Teasing the possibility of her being pregnant she joked: 'There's going to be a new addition to the family. Chris looks utterly shocked. Obviously you know I'm 53. My eggs are like raisins at this point.  

'I'm thrilled because as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home,' she laughed as she jibed: 'Got you!' 

Continuing the story Amanda explained: 'Three little puppies were dumped at the doors of Battersea and  got the call "we are desperate for someone would you, consider fostering a dog"

"I mean I'm saying fostering with a small 'F'. It's extremely loose, but it got to Chris better as I said fostering. 

'We're going to collect her today. And yes, it is a replacement for my eldest daughter who's gone to university.'

Taking to Instagram on Sunday with a sweet compilation of snaps of her Lexi, Amanda bid her first born goodbye as she wrote: 'And just like that …. ❤️ she’s off'. 

It comes after Amanda proudly revealed her daughter Lexi, who walked her first ever fashion show at London Fashion Week last week, passed her A-Levels, landing her a spot at her first choice of university.

Amanda made sure to take the teenager out for a celebratory meal when it emerged that she had been successful in her exams.

She wrote on Instagram: 'Congratulations to our @lexi.hughes__ we couldn't be prouder. All the grades and 1st choice uni what a bl**dy relief.'

The former Wild At Heart actress - who has been married to Chris Hughes since 2008 and also has Hollie, 12, with him - also shared a photo of an emotional Lexi in front of a cake that read 'Lexi congratulations' and 'OMG I did it!'.

And Amanda wasn't the only celebrity saying a tearful goodbye to her eldest as Kate Garraway waved her daughter Darcey off. 

The Good Morning Britain presenter helped the eldest of her two children cram her belongings into boxes before loading them into the rear of her car. 

Kate, 57, had previously paid tribute to 18-year old Darcey after she received her A-Level results in August, seven months after the death of her father, Derek Draper. 

Former political lobbyist Derek died aged 56 in January from COVID-19 complications, almost four years after he was taken ill with the respiratory virus. 

He was one of the country's longest-suffering coronavirus patients and remained in hospital for more than a year but never fully recovered after the virus left long-lasting damage to his organs. 

And Darcey ensured her father was still with her by packing a family photo, taken before he was struck down with the illness in March 2020, and one of his favoured Panama hats. 

Sharing a video of the teenager's departure with Instagram followers, Kate revealed the unframed photo and the hat previously worn by Darcey at Wimbledon on the backseat of her car as it sat on the kerb outside their north London home.

Captioning the clip, she wrote: 'And just like that she was off! That tiny helpless baby we brought home from hospital 18 yrs ago has gone to #uni!

'Just like thousands of other parents this weekend I was playing that game of jenga trying to get it all in the car. Thank goodness my beloved Victor has a massive boot! 

She added: 'Such an emotional moment on so many levels & boy is the house quiet. But Darcey we couldn’t be prouder of you starting this new chapter in your life & know your Dad is with you all the way.' 

Listen to Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden weekdays from 06:30 – 10:00 and on Global Player