ACTRESS Amanda Holden returned to the town where her life in showbiz got started yesterday to sign copies of her recently-released autobiography No Holding Back.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge met fans at the Waterstones store in Castlepoint, some of whom had travelled from as far as Oxford.

She also spoke to the Daily Echo about her life in Bournemouth, where she moved aged 16, living with her parents in their Alum Chine guest house and studying on Bournemouth and Poole College’s Jellicoe Theatre course.

“It is lovely to be back, I have so much history here,” she said.

“There are some people from my college days in the queue today who I haven’t seen for years, so it is going to be a bit like This Is Your Life.

“When my mum and dad moved here I didn’t know what we were doing, but it’s where I started learning my craft.

“I have some really, really happy memories from here.”

She described writing the book, released on Thursday last week, as “torturous”, adding: “It felt a bit like homework as I had to do it in my youngest daughter’s nap time.”

Among the fans queuing for more than an hour outside the store was 19-year-old Tiffany Prowse – who came all the way from Oxford with her dad John and sister Jade, 17.

“She is amazing, she has been through a lot and is a great actress, and I really enjoyed the book,” she said.

Another young fan was 12-year-old Sam Hicks, from Ferndown, who was there with mum Julie and sister Emily, eight. Sam brought Amanda a bag of Haribo Tangfastics after reading in the book that they were her favourite sweets.

“We came down early to get to the front of the queue as Sam is a big fan,” said Mrs Hicks.

“It was really nice meeting her.”

As well as learning her showbiz skills in Bournemouth, Amanda, famous for her roles in TV shows The Grimleys and Cutting It, also worked as a chambermaid in her parents’ guesthouse. Her dad Les even worked for the Echo as a delivery driver.

It was in Bournemouth that she met first husband Les Dennis while performing at the Pavilion.