Amanda Holden was left in a critical condition for three days after she "nearly died" giving birth to her second daughter Hollie Rose on Monday.

The Britain's Got Talent host, 40, was rushed to hospital where she delivered the newborn by Caearean section at just seven months.

Hollie Rose was born at 6lb 1oz and is said to be "healthy" but she is being looked after in a special care unit.

According to the MailOnline a close friend of Amanda's said: "Amanda nearly died. It was a life threatening situation. There was a huge loss of blood."

Meanwhile a source has told The Sun about Amanda's fight for life following the birth: "Amanda lost several pints of blood and had to have a number of transfusions. Hollie could not breathe.

"For a while both were fighting for life. Thankfully Hollie is now out of the woods and Amanda is recovering too."

They also added: "It was touch and go. Amanda was very, very ill for three days and the doctors were extremely concerned for her. "But she is a fighter and very strong-willed. She's come through this and is delighted to see Hollie Rose so beautiful and healthy."

The announcement of Hollie's birth was delayed by several days until the BGT host's condition had stabilised.

Chris Hughes, Amanda's husband decided that his wife was well enough for the statement to be released, which read: "Hollie Rose Hughes was born on January 23, 2012. She is healthy and weighed in at 6lb 1oz but Amanda has been in a critical condition for the past three days. She is now stable and we expect her to make a full recovery very soon. We thank you for respecting their privacy at this time."

Last night, it was thought that Amanda was still in intensive care and it's not known when she will be discharged from hospital.

At the National TV Awards last night, her fellow BGT judge David Walliams insisted that they were unlikely to replace Amanda on the panel.

"It's fantastic news," he said of the birth. "We were all worried when we were doing the show after hearing she was in hospital. We heard she hasn't been well, but I don't know more than that."

Walliams also added: "It was just the three of us in Blackpool yesterday, but Louis Walsh always seems to be on standby, but maybe he can pop on a wig and do Amanda's job."

And so Britain's Got Talent Begins...