QUITTING IT

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 25, 2003 | by POLLY GRAHAM Showbiz Editor

CUTTING It star Amanda Holden has told BBC bosses: I'm quitting.

And producers have hurriedly come up with an explosive end for her bitchy TV character Mia - by blowing up her hairdressing salon.

Mia will be left fighting for her life after the blast, leaving viewers on tenterhooks as to whether she will survive.

Amanda, 32, told TV chiefs of her decision midway through filming the current second series of the hit drama.

She has been forced to leave after the BBC dithered over whether to recommission a third series and she signed up for the lead in the West End version of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which now clashes with filming. A BBC source said: "Amanda didn't want to quit but she had no choice because she had committed herself to her West End role.

"If there was any way she could do both she would - but seeing as Cutting It is filmed in Manchester and she'll need to be in London every night for her show it is unlikely to work. She made ice-queen Mia a brilliant character and helped make the show a hit.

"Once the producers had got over the shock they decided to make good of her leaving and have come up with a great ending for this series.

"The door could very well be left open in case Amanda changes her mind though...so they probably won't kill her off for good."

The atrocity comes after the feud between Mia and her arch hairdressing rival Allie Ferraday gets even worse. Allie - played by one of Amanda's real-life best friends Sarah Parish - is staying in the show.

Amanda first found TV fame as sexy teacher Geraldine in the Grimleys. She then starred opposite Sarah and Hugo Speer in the BBC drama Hearts And Bones before making Cutting.

But although her career has gone well, her seven-year marriage to comic Les Dennis collapsed last Christmas.

She is now filming a new BBC comedy with former TV presenter Jamie Theakston, which will be screened later this year.