Amanda Holden’s, 54, new Netflix series slammed for ‘triggering’ scenes: ‘Contributing to society’s moral decay!’
Amanda Holden’s new Netflix gig has come under fire from some viewers for “glorifying cheating” and adding to the “moral decay of society” following its debut on Wednesday.
The presenter, 54, has fronted a new series called Cheat: Unfinished Business, which follows former couples whose relationships ended due to cheating.
A synopsis from Netflix reads: “As they reunite at a retreat, each pair will be guided through their issues by relationship expert, Paul C. Brunson, in the hopes that they can face up to their past mistakes, rebuild trust and move forward – either together or apart.
“Will the cheaters be able to fight for forgiveness and win back the hearts of those they betrayed? Or will they have to say goodbye to their relationship for good?”
CHEAT: UNFINISHED BUSINESS, with @AmandaHolden and @PaulCBrunson, is now playing on Netflix!! pic.twitter.com/3Yi9zMjnby
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) April 30, 2025
The unsavoury subject matter prompted a string of responses, with many baffled as to why Holden is willing to take part, while others felt the subject manner was too “triggering” to be used as the basis of light entertainment.
Responding to Netflix’s X account’s promotion of the series, one person strongly wrote: “You’re contributing to the moral decay of society,” followed by a thumbs-up emoji.
Another person was similarly unimpressed, sharing: “Well this is triggering #CheatUnfinishedBusiness.”
Another simply remarked: “Boring. Next. #CheatUnfinishedBusiness,” while another added: “Netflix has released the same show in 4 diff fonts… im bored… #CheatUnfinishedBusiness.”
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“This show is heartbreaking and VERY triggering, cheating is a MASSIVE betrayal, how can you cheat on someone you ‘love’ and apparently consider your best friend? #CheatUnfinishedBusiness,” someone else penned.
However, others did combat the criticism with glowing reviews of the first episode, with one viewer sharing: “Set out to watch 1 episode & ended up watching 3 tonight Cheat: Unfinished Business is so good!!
“The perfect combination of juicy mixed with meaning & healing. Powerful stuff & such a refreshing format. You are also the perfect presenter @AmandaHolden #CheatUnfinishedBusiness.”
One fan said on Instagram how they “can’t wait” to tune in, with fellow presenter Davina McCall commenting: “Two of my favourite people together in one show !!!!! @noholdenback @paulcbrunson.” (sic)
Talking about the show’s release on ITV’s This Morning on Wednesday, Holden gushed: “Probably the producers won’t like me to say this, but you know how some of these reality shows are a bit produced or guided into certain directions? We just sort of dropped everything and watched it because we couldn’t believe some of the stuff that happened and the way that it goes.
“And I was a bit like Davina McCall in the old days of Big Brother. I would sit there after we’d finished for the day.”
On the twists and turns, she concluded: “You just couldn’t write it, and it wasn’t written, it’s amazing.”
Before Cheat’s release, Holden found herself in the news earlier this week when she opened up about “embarrassing” her two daughters, Lexi, 19 and Hollie, 13.
Discussing how she is often compared to Lexi, particularly now that her daughter receives similar comments from fellow students at university, Holden admitted she finds it “very flattering”.
“I think they find it a bit embarrassing,” she added, before explaining how her daughters always garner the most “likes” on her social media feed.
“It’s so amazing, isn’t it? I post a lot of bikini shots, but any time I share anything with my girls, that’s what goes viral,” she shared.
Speaking to The Sun, she went on to joke: “I need to put them out to work, we need to get some sort of hair campaign or something.”
Comparing her two children, whom she shares with husband Chris Hughes, she added: “She’s [Lexi] very mature. I don’t feel like Hollie is going to be the same person.”