[Matt]

Amanda Holden was celebrating yesterday after winning a new 18-month contract with American network, CBS.

It is a major coup for the Britain’s Got Talent judge, who will take over the main female anchor role of the station’s flagship breakfast programme.

Amanda, 39, has been asked to cover for The Early Show’s popular co-host, Maggie Rodriguez, when she goes on maternity leave in the summer.

Three weeks after filming the final of BGT, Amanda will go to LA to take up the new role.

A source said: “It is a massive deal for her and she was absolutely thrilled.

“Her profile is on the rise Stateside and viewers love her cut-glass accent and easy manner.

“She is a natural presenter and has taken to it like a duck to water. Executives at CBS are predicting big things for her. It is an exciting time.”

Amanda was due to cover the Oscars for CBS but was forced to pull out as it clashed with her daughter Lexi’s birthday party.

Since working with Simon Cowell and TV’s Piers Morgan on Britain’s Got Talent, her profile has risen dramatically in the notoriously hard to crack US market.

The former actress will co-present the hit magazine-style show with Dave Price and Harry Smith.

Source: The Mirror