Amanda Holden to remarry

Last time she walked down the aisle it was in the shadow of her much older groom.

This time Amanda Holden is sure to be the star of the show.

The 32- year- old actress has announced her engagement to music producer Chris Hughes a year after her divorce from TV presenter Les Dennis.

Hughes, 30, proposed two weeks ago, presenting her with a £20,000 diamond ring.

The couple are yet to decide on a date for the wedding.

Miss Holden was an unknown actress when she married Dennis, an established face in comedy and TV, in 1995.

Gradually she built up her own career, landing TV roles in The Grimleys, Cutting It and Mad About Alice.

Dennis, 49, is best known for the ITV gameshow Family Fortunes, which he hosted for 15 years.

The couple's relationship never recovered from Miss Holden's brief affair with Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey in 2000.

They had been working together in the BBC drama, Happy Birthday Shakespeare. Miss Holden and Dennis announced their separation at Christmas 2002.

Dennis had just appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, declaring he still loved his wife and wanted their marriage to work.

Last night a spokesman for Miss Holden confirmed she is to marry again.

'Chris asked Amanda to marry him a couple of weeks ago, and she said yes,' she said. 'They are both thrilled.'

Hughes proposed at the home the couple have shared in South-West London for the past year.

A friend said Hughes had just returned from a brief holiday with Grand Prix racing driver David Coulthard when he surprised Miss Holden with a proposal.

'He just came back from his trip and decided to completely surprise Amanda and propose at home,' the friend said. 'Amanda was shocked but delighted.

'Chris was just really thrilled that she said yes, and they are both really happy.'

It is thought that Dennis has been told of his ex-wife's plans. Last night his spokesman refused to comment.