Waterproof mascara at the ready, Amanda Holden talks about sending her baby girl to school

SUMMER'S over! I can hardly believe it.

My tan is fading by the second after the most amazing two months of doing absolutely bugger all, bar hanging out with my husband Chris and our girls, eating and drinking.

I really needed a break after this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, and the summer months are always family time for me.

We’ve been on holiday to France, Cornwall and Italy, and I swear if you cut me I’d bleed rosé wine and cream cakes.

I did run most days, but I don’t think it’s as effective when you’re running to the local bakery…

Of course, the end of summer means back to school and it’s a big week in the Holden-Hughes household, because my baby Hollie starts school on Tuesday.

Where have the last four years gone?

When Lexi, now 10, started I was partly weepy and partly proud we’d reached that stage.

Maybe because Hollie is my youngest and last child, I just feel super-emotional about this mummy milestone.

I’m going to be that mother weeping at the school gates waving her off, with poor Chris handing me tissues.

I needn’t be worried, Hollie is more than ready for school.

She rules the house, and is such a little diva – I can’t think where she gets it from!

She rang room service twice on holiday this year and ordered snacks for herself – four going on 24.

I’m loving this stage of parenting.

We never planned to have such a big gap between the girls, but they have a really cute dynamic.

Lexi’s the caring big sister, while Hollie’s the comical drama queen.

Their absolutely favourite thing at the moment is visiting the bathrooms in restaurants and hotels.

They’re obsessed with trying out the soap and chucking paper towels in the bins.

People must see them and say: “Poor kids, their selfish mother mustn’t buy them any toys.”

But it means Chris and I get 20 minutes of peace, hurrah!

Waterproof mazza at the ready, it’s time to send my baby out into the big world. Wish me luck.