A TOP celebrity has shared a photograph of herself taken when she attended a junior school in the 80s after a social media plea was put out by the headteacher. 

Bishop’s Waltham Junior School posted a plea on Facebook for Amanda Holden, who attended the school from 1977 to 1981, to share a photo of herself at school as part of a feature showcasing what former pupils are doing now.

The actress, singer and Britain’s Got Talent judge attended the junior school when it was named Ridgemede Junior School and is believed to have taken part in the school’s gymnastics team.

Bishop’s Waltham Junior School posted on Facebook on Monday, February 20: “Amanda Holden - please could you share with us a photo of you from when you were a pupil at Ridgemede Junior? We are doing a feature to showcase what former pupils are doing now...

“Appreciate you are busy - but feel this would really inspire our current pupils.”

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Less than a day later headteacher Daren Campbell received an image of young Amanda in her tie, passed on by her uncle.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Mr Campbell said: “Pupils and parents are always fascinated to learn that the judge on Britain's Got Talent was a former pupil at the school. A number of years ago she was the local celebrity that opened the carnival. At one point, the chair of governors told me that he attended the school at the same time as Amanda.

“A number of the parents, who have had children attend this school in the past, were classmates with her.

"We reached out on social media using local groups such as What's On Bishop's Waltham and following numerous shares/tagged messages. We kept tagging in Amanda using her official Twitter and Facebook handle and the persistence paid off.

“It would be amazing however if we could get her to do a return visit to the school in order to meet with pupils and staff and talk about her experiences at school.”

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Hampshire Chronicle:

Along with the photos, the school then posted on Facebook on Tuesday, February 21: “The power of social media. Then and now: Former pupil of Ridgemede Junior School (now Bishop's Waltham Jnr) Amanda Louise Holden - is now an established English actress, media personality, and singer. Since 2007, she has been a judge on the television talent show competition Britain's Got Talent on ITV.

“She also co-hosts the Heart Breakfast radio show with Jamie Theakston on weekday mornings.”

Former pupils are being encouraged to share photos with the hashtag #expupilsbqjs. Mr Campbell said: “We want to try and showcase to current pupils the possible careers that are available - as well as celebrate the successes of former pupils.”