Denise Van Outen has revealed that she is keeping her new boyfriend a mystery, explaining that after decades in the spotlight, she wants to keep some aspects of her life private. The 51-year-old star, who rose to fame on The Big Breakfast and has since performed in the West End, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, and narrated The Only Way Is Essex, said she feels no need to overshare.
Taking Back Control
Speaking to New Magazine, Denise said: “I feel like I have to keep something for myself, I don’t need to overshare. We live in a generation of oversharing because of smartphones. We know what everybody’s had for breakfast these days. I just feel like this is not for other people.”
Denise, who shares daughter Betsy, 16, with ex-husband Lee Mead, admitted she turned to dating apps last year and revealed in January that she is quietly dating someone “outside of the industry.” Her previous relationships, including engagements to Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay and a marriage to Lee Mead, as well as a long-term relationship with Eddie Boxshall, have all played out in the public eye.
Protecting Her Daughter
Having experienced heartbreak in the public eye, Denise is cautious about her daughter’s potential showbiz career. She said she has tried to protect Betsy from the industry but now supports her passion. “Betsy actually loves it. She’s found it herself. She goes to a performing arts school locally. She even went to Sylvia Young [Theatre School] over Easter to do a course, which is where I went to school,” Denise explained.
She added: “I encourage her but I’ll see what happens, because it’s a tough industry to be in. She knows the pitfalls, she’s seen it firsthand with both parents. She knows the highs and lows that come with it.”
New Music and Energy Campaign
Denise has also released a new single, In The Evening, a nu-disco cover of Sheryl Lee Ralph’s 1984 track. She said she wanted to create a “happy distraction” for summer. “The mood generally at the moment – although it’s lifted a bit because the sun’s come out - feels like we’ve had a lot of bad news as a country. Sometimes you need a happy distraction, and that’s what I wanted to create with this tune,” she said.
In addition, Denise has teamed up with Smart Energy GB to promote smart meters, which help households monitor energy use and avoid bill shock. “When you’re guessing, you’ve got that whole build-up of, ‘How much this is costing me?’, then the shock of the bill. Guessing creates anxiety – it’s just better to know the answer!” she said.
