Amanda Holden has given an emotional interview thanking the NHS for its care and support following the loss of her son Theo.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge and husband Chris Hughes were heartbroken when their little boy was stillborn seven years ago.
Amanda had been seven months pregnant at the time.
In an interview for ITV’s Tonight, which airs this evening, the actress became tearful as she spoke about delivering her son.
Read more: Return date confirmed for Michelle Keegan’s Our Girl
“He just looked so normal and so peaceful,” Amanda said, according to The Sun.
“I just… I was still his mummy, so I took him in my arms and I said goodbye, basically.”
Amanda – who has daughters Lexi, 12, and Hollie, six – also said Theo is “still part of the family but just not here.”
She shared her experience for a special episode of Tonight called The NHS Saved My Life, which pays tribute to the staff of the National Health Service and what they do for people.
Amanda said it was a “horrific” time for the family after losing Theo and her husband was “frightened” of trying for another baby as he didn’t want either of them to go through such pain again.
She said: “But I knew in order to carry on and live life, I had to have a baby and I was lucky enough to have the choice and be able to have another one.”
Amanda added that the care given to her by NHS workers was phenomenal and she didn’t get excess attention just because she’s famous – instead, it’s the same level of support they give everyone.
At the time of Theo’s birth, a statement released on the couple’s behalf had said: “Both Chris and Amanda would like to thank the midwives and staff at The Queen Mary Maternity unit at West Middlesex Hospital Isleworth for their tremendous support.”
Amanda spoke about the traumatic experience in her autobiography, No Holding Back, recalling how she’d gone to the hospital for a scan after noticing her baby wasn’t moving and was told his heart had stopped beating.
She wrote: “When my baby was finally delivered they laid him in my arms as my tears flowed over him. His little face and body were perfect.
“I rubbed noses with him and smelled his face and his neck and I just cried and cried. I cried for his life, for the hope and joy and expectation that had been taken from us.”
Amanda has often spoken out to praise the NHS: as well as helping her following Theo’s birth, she had to spend time in intensive care following the birth of daughter Hollie.
Hollie was born healthy but Amanda fell into a critical condition; her placenta had become attached to her bladder, which meant when the placenta was taken out, it had caught on an artery and ruptured it.
In her autobiography, Amanda said she had been “bleeding to death” and her heart stopped beating for 40 seconds, while extra blood was biked to the hospital as she needed so much.
She was in a coma for three days.
Amanda later told The Mirror: “Thanks to the midwives and doctors, I pulled through. I’m so grateful to the hospital and anyone that donates blood.
“I am indebted to the NHS, we need to look after them.”
* The NHS Saved My Life airs Thursday at 7.30pm on ITV.
Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook