The split between Les Dennis and Amanda Holden still gets people talking decades later. The former Family Fortunes host, now 71, has had a career that spans game shows, soap operas, and stage work — and a personal life that played out in the tabloids.
Full name: Leslie Dennis Heseltine ·
Born: 12 October 1953 (age 71) ·
Net worth (est.): £1.5 million ·
Spouse: Claire Nicholson (m. 2006) ·
Known for: Family Fortunes, Coronation Street
Quick snapshot
- Born Leslie Dennis Heseltine on 12 October 1953 (Wikipedia entry)
- Hosted Family Fortunes from 1987 to 2002 (Wikipedia profile)
- Married Amanda Holden in June 1995 (Amanda Holden biography)
- Married Claire Nicholson in 2006 (Metro report)
- Exact net worth varies between £1–2.5 million depending on the source (Evening Ledger estimate)
- Specific reason for split beyond general incompatibility and age difference (Evening Ledger estimate)
- Whether he will return to major TV roles in the near future (Evening Ledger estimate)
- Affair with Neil Morrissey exposed in 2000, temporary separation (Amanda Holden timeline)
- Permanent split December 2002, divorce finalized 2003 (Wikipedia divorce record)
- Holden publicly regretted “hurting” Les Dennis in 2024 (The Independent interview)
- Reunited with former Family Fortunes co-stars on social media
- Remains active on Twitter and Instagram
- Potential for new TV or stage roles given his enduring public profile
Six facts about Les Dennis, one pattern: his public persona has always been tied to major life events that happened off-screen.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Leslie Dennis Heseltine |
| Birth date | 12 October 1953 |
| Birth place | Liverpool, England |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Notable show | Family Fortunes |
| Years active (TV) | 1984–present |
The table shows a performer whose career has outlasted the tabloid drama.
Why did Amanda Holden split up with Les Dennis?
The marriage between Les Dennis and Amanda Holden lasted from June 1995 to their divorce in 2003 — roughly seven years. The couple separated temporarily in 2000 after Holden’s affair with actor Neil Morrissey became public, a revelation that made front-page tabloid news. According to Wikipedia biography, they tried to reconcile but permanently separated in December 2002.
What role did the age gap play?
When they married, Les Dennis was 40 and Amanda Holden was 23 — a 17-year age difference. Metro news report reported that Holden later cited incompatibility and the age gap as contributing factors. Speaking to Alan Carr, Holden said she was “young and stupid” and regretted the way things ended.
The affair and the subsequent split left Dennis “very low,” according to Metro coverage. He later recalled the moment he knew the marriage was over, linking it to his exit from Celebrity Big Brother in 2002.
Les Dennis faced a career and personal blow when the affair went public — and while he rebuilt his profile on Coronation Street, the emotional cost was high.
Did the split affect Les Dennis’s career?
Yes — the tabloid coverage of the split hurt his public image temporarily. However, Dennis rebounded. He continued hosting Family Fortunes until 2002 and later landed a major role on Coronation Street as Michael Rodwell from 2014 to 2016. He told Daily Record interview that he was “thrilled” to join the soap.
The implication: the split was a defining chapter, but not the end of his career.
Did Amanda Holden have a child with Les Dennis?
No — the couple did not have any children together. Amanda Holden has two daughters, Lexi and Hollie, with her current husband Chris Hughes, whom she married in 2008. Les Dennis has no biological children from either marriage.
The absence of children from Les Dennis’s two marriages is a frequently searched fact — and it’s confirmed across multiple authoritative sources.
What this means: any online speculation about Holden having a child with Dennis is unfounded.
Where does Les Dennis live now?
Wikipedia biography lists Les Dennis as living in London. He moved south after Family Fortunes ended in 2002, having previously lived in Liverpool, where he was born. He has not publicly indicated any plans to move back to the northwest.
Does Les Dennis still live in Liverpool?
No — he is based in London. His current home is shared with his wife Claire Nicholson. The move south was part of his transition from regional presenter to national TV actor and stage performer.
The pattern: like many British entertainers, Dennis’s career shift from regional to national work meant relocating to the capital.
What did Amanda Holden say about Les Dennis?
In a 2024 interview with Alan Carr, Amanda Holden publicly regretted “hurting” Les Dennis during their marriage. The Independent article covered her candid remarks, where she said she was “young and stupid.” She has consistently described the breakup as a painful chapter she regrets.
How did Sharon Osbourne respond?
Sharon Osbourne publicly criticized Holden for her affair with Neil Morrissey, which led to the end of the marriage. In a 2024 interview, Osbourne said Holden’s actions were “awful” and called the situation “heartbreaking” for Dennis. The exchange reignited public interest in the split.
“I was young and stupid — I regret hurting him.”
— Amanda Holden, speaking to Alan Carr in 2024, as reported by The Independent news
Sharon Osbourne’s comments brought the story back into headlines in 2024, reminding readers that some celebrity feuds never fully fade.
Is Les Dennis still married to Claire Nicholson?
Yes — Les Dennis married Claire Nicholson, a former TV researcher, in 2006. The couple remain married as of 2025. They have no children together.
Who is Claire Nicholson?
Claire Nicholson worked as a TV researcher before their marriage. She has largely stayed out of the public spotlight, apart from occasional appearances alongside Dennis at events. She is his second wife and has been married to him for nearly 20 years.
What this means: after the very public breakdown of his first marriage, Dennis built a quieter, more stable private life with Nicholson.
Timeline
- 1953 — Born in Liverpool
- 1987–2002 — Hosted Family Fortunes
- 1995 — Married Amanda Holden
- 2000 — Holden’s affair with Neil Morrissey exposed; temporary separation
- 2002 — Permanent separation; Dennis exits Celebrity Big Brother
- 2003 — Divorced Amanda Holden
- 2006 — Married Claire Nicholson
- 2014–2016 — Played Michael Rodwell on Coronation Street
- 2024 — Amanda Holden publicly regretted hurting Dennis; Sharon Osbourne weighed in
Summary
Les Dennis’s life is a story of resilience — going from the top-rated game show in Britain to a humiliating tabloid breakup, and then rebuilding as a working actor and husband. For anyone curious about the real story behind the headlines, the data is clear: the marriage lasted seven years, there were no children, and Dennis found stability in a second marriage that has now lasted longer than his first. For readers tracking celebrity relationship patterns, the takeaway is simple: the public breakup defined a chapter, but Dennis himself outlasted it.
Related reading: Michael Aspel: Illness, Retirement and Life After TV · Ruthie Henshall: Biography, Marriage, Prince Edward, Net Worth
ladbible.com, mirror.co.uk, uk.news.yahoo.com, ozbrief.org, uk.news.yahoo.com, manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
How old is Les Dennis?
Les Dennis was born on 12 October 1953, making him 71 years old as of 2024.
What is Les Dennis’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but most sources place Les Dennis’s net worth between £1 million and £2.5 million. The most commonly cited figure is around £1.5 million.
What is Les Dennis’s real name?
His birth name is Leslie Dennis Heseltine.
What TV shows has Les Dennis appeared in?
He is best known for hosting Family Fortunes (1987–2002) and playing Michael Rodwell on Coronation Street (2014–2016). He has also appeared in Extras, Holby City, and various stage productions.
Who is Les Dennis’s current wife?
Claire Nicholson, a former TV researcher. They married in 2006.
Does Les Dennis have children?
No — he has no biological children from either of his marriages.
What happened to Les Dennis’s career after Family Fortunes?
After the show ended in 2002, Dennis faced a challenging period due to the tabloid coverage of his split with Amanda Holden. However, he successfully returned to television with a major role on Coronation Street and has remained active in stage and screen work.
Why did Amanda Holden regret her marriage to Les Dennis?
In a 2024 interview with Alan Carr, Holden said she regretted “hurting” Dennis. She described herself as “young and stupid” at the time and said the affair and subsequent split were a painful chapter she wishes had gone differently.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.