Amanda Holden has shocked her Heart FM co-stars with her impressive Margaret Thatcher impression.
The radio host, 49, performed the uncanny impersonation on the breakfast show on Tuesday, which she co-hosts with Jamie Theakston, 49.
They were talking with showbiz reporter Ashley Roberts, 39, about the new series of Netflix’s The Crown.
Getting into character, Amanda said: ‘I really like her [Gillian Anderson] as Margaret Thatcher.’
Ashley then responds: ‘Oh my god, that’s so good!’
The former Wild At Heart actress explained: ‘I used to do that when I was eight – only with Gladys Pugh from Hi-De-Hi.’
Amanda explained that every word Thatcher said was ‘measured’ and added it was with a ‘slight head tilt’.
The Crown viewers were divided over Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, with some branding it as a ‘bad impersonation’ of the late Prime Minister.
The actress, 52, who is in a relationship with series creator Peter Morgan, depicts Mrs Thatcher in the late 1970s and 1980s in the fourth series of the Netflix drama, which was released yesterday in the US and UK.
Impressions: Amanda Holden, 49, has shocked Heart Radio listeners with an impressive Margaret Thatcher impression on Tuesday morning’s show
However viewers were left confused by her over-the-top performance, saying it was like a caricature and needed to be ‘turned down a notch’. Several said it was akin to Janet Brown’s impersonation of the Prime Minister in the 1970s and 1980s.
One tweeted: ‘Got #TheCrown on. Gillian Anderson has clearly seen a lot of Janet Brown videos…’ Another added: ‘Is Gillian Anderson playing Mrs Thatcher or Janet Brown? #TheCrown.’
Another posted ‘#TheCrown is normally so spot on with their performances but Gillian Anderson’s Thatcher is way off. It’s like a bad impersonation. Everyone else on all series is so spot! Such as shame as it draws away from the drama.’
A third wrote: ‘Gillian Anderson plays Margaret Thatcher in #TheCrown like a cart horse attached to a fog horn.
‘Measured’: The radio presenter explained that every word Thatcher said was ‘measured’ and added it was with a ‘slight head tilt’
‘Thatcher didn’t talk in a speechifying voice. And she was fragile looking, delicate colouring, small hands and feet – her femininity, a surprising contrast to the drive and steeliness.’
However others were impressed with her performance and said it will win Anderson ‘all the awards’.
One tweeted: ’20 minutes in… and already the decision to cast Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher is one of the best television has ever made. #TheCrown.’
Another posted: ‘Netflix’s decision to cast Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher is undoubtedly one of the best TV decisions ever made. A true acting masterclass! Ok handBlue heartFlag of United Kingdom #TheCrown.’
Shocked: Showbiz reporter Ashley Roberts, 39, was shocked by the impersonation and said: ‘Oh my god, that’s so good!’
A third added: ‘#TheCrown @GillianA absolutely mesmerising performances but Gillian Anderson as Mrs T.’
Others said they were left ‘confused’ over whether they are attracted or repulsed by Anderson as Thatcher.
The Crown’s fourth series focuses on Thatcher’s rise to power and her dramatic social reforms in the 1980s, which divided the country as it led to weakening of the power of the trade unions and the 1984 miners strike.
‘Having a hard time separating my hatred of Margret Thatcher, to my hard crush of Gillian Anderson. So confused,’ wrote one, while a second agreed:
‘Gillian Anderson as Thatcher has made me the most sexually confused I have ever been in my life.’
Uncanny! The Crown viewers were divided over Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, with some branding it as a ‘bad impersonation’ of the late Prime Minister
A further added: ‘If anyone needs me today I’ll be having several conflicting emotions about Gillian Anderson in The Crown,’ while a fourth penned: ‘Gillian Anderson is still up there as my girl crush despite being cast as Margaret Thatcher.’
In a new interview, the actress revealed she received help from two vocal coaches and rehearsed in ‘dark and abandoned rooms’ to channel the late politician, who led the country from 1979 until 1990.
The X-Files star admitted getting into costume also helped her play the stateswoman as she said: ‘Never in my life would I wear the shoes she wore. But walking in the way I learned to walk as her, and in those shoes, just helped so much.’
Tune in to Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden weekdays from 06:30 – 10:00.