Amanda Holden goes silent on bitter Osbourne feud as she fiercely defends controversial BGT star Viggo Venn

While Holden has reportedly been supported by her Britain’s Got Talent co-star Simon Cowell, 64, she hasn’t responded publicly to Osbourne’s scathing verbal onslaught.

However, she has spoken out since to defend last year’s Britain’s Got Talent winner ahead of the ITV series’ return this weekend.

Comedian Viggo Venn sparked a flood of Ofcom complaints after being crowned the winner, and went on to admit he was “embarrassed” to have taken the trophy.

While plenty of viewers were unhappy to see Venn claim the victory, judge Holden has defended him.

The media personality stated: “I absolutely loved Viggo, my mum loved him, he won most of the votes, and people voted for him, I think, because he was fun, humble, and made us all smile.”

Speaking to The Mirror, she continued: “And that was the same with people like John Courtenay and Paul Potts.

“These are people that you think, ‘they’re like me,’ – they’re accessible, they are well liked and the audience wants to get behind them. Because in our country, we like down-to-earth underdogs.”

Venn beat off some stiff competition last year, with dancer Lillianna Clifton coming in second place and magician Cillian O’Connor placed third.

It’s been reported audience members booed the result when the comedian won the show, while more than 100 Ofcom complaints were made about the episode.

She went on to tell the publication she’d pressed her golden buzzer this year twice, adding: “The first was for a singer, and she’s got the perfect showbiz name if ever I’ve heard one!

“It just felt how I was when I was starting out, she’d done some bits and bobs or whatever.

“I was lucky I went on to work, but she’s just not had that break she deserves.”