Amanda Holden was recovering in hospital last night after coming close to death while giving birth to her second daughter. She was in a ‘critical condition’ for three days as she battled for life, it emerged yesterday.

Her second daughter, Hollie Rose, was born on Monday by Caesarean section at a London hospital. The baby weighed in at 6lb 1oz and is ‘healthy’, although she has been placed in a special care unit.