Viewers not happy with Alan Carr and Amanda Holden's 'awkward' opening as new Royal Variety Performance hosts

Viewers were divided by Alan Carr and Amanda Holden's opening as the new Royal Variety Performance hosts.

The BGT judge, 53, and stand-up comedian, 48, kicked off last night's show (15 December) with a series of 'awkward' jokes as some fans wished it was 2023 host Bradley Walsh, 64, up there instead.

Watch below:

As the pair took to the stage at London's Royal Albert Hall, the comedian was quick to poke fun at Holden's outfit, joking: "You look fabulous, just on the right side of an Ofcom complaint.

"I feel a great sense of comfort and security sharing a stage with you, well it’s a high profile event and if Just Stop Oil come at the stage, I can use you as my human shield."

Holden then responded: "Well, good luck to them because I will end up being their first victim who ends up less orange."

Some viewers were not loving their start to the show (ITV)

Carr added: "I think the main reason they chose us to host this evening is because we tick two big boxes. I’m gay and your…"

"Old?" replied Holden, as her co-host said: "I was going to say a woman, but now you mention it, you are very old."

She quipped: "I’m only five years old than you."

"That’s the thing, I work in gay years. Five years is actually 35 years, in fact in our world, I am afraid I have got bad news for you - you’ve just lost your winter heating allowance," Carr joked.

Meanwhile, viewers took to social media to complain, with some calling it 'awkward'.

"Alan Carr and Amanda Holden on The Royal Variety Performance! Who the hell chose these two to present this! I’ve lasted 15 minutes!!" one person tweeted.

The duo opened this year's Royal Variety Performance (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

"You know the hosts are bad when Andrew Lloyd Webber actually has funnier jokes. Who chose these two? Mortifying," a second joked.

A third penned: "Alan Carr and Amanda Holden are absolutely dreadful. Who chose them? Bring back Bradley Walsh."

A fourth wrote: "I may have been a tad too harsh about the show tonight but I will reveal the most enjoyable parts were the f**kin adverts #RoyalVarietyPerformance."

However, some viewers thought the duo did pretty well, as one said: "Have to admit, I was wrong!

"Alan Carr, and also @AmandaHolden, were excellent presenters of tonight’s #RoyalVarietyPerformance show.

"Also, the show itself was just magnificent."

"Talent on the Royal Variety Performance tonight is epic - Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, couldn't ask for better presenters," another commented, while someone else agreed: "Alan Carr and Amanda Holden are really good together."

LADbible Group has contacted ITV, Alan Carr and Amanda Holden's representatives for comment.