Walking into the retro-themed Bunga 90 bar in London's Covent Garden for an exclusive photo shoot with Denise Van Outen feels like stepping back into a vibrant 1990s club night. The venue, adorned with neon-coloured retro TVs, a giant Tamagotchi on the wall, and booths upholstered in carpet-style fabric, perfectly sets the scene for a nostalgic conversation with the Essex-born star, who shot to fame in that much-loved decade.
A Journey Through the 1990s and Beyond
At 51, Denise Van Outen looks entirely at home amidst the 90s memorabilia, having chosen this theme as it represents her "favourite decade for fun." As she prepares to take her new one-woman show across the UK, she casts her mind back over an illustrious career that began in theatre before her big television break.
The Big Breakfast Era and Chaotic Memories
Denise's rise to prominence came through co-hosting Channel 4's The Big Breakfast alongside Johnny Vaughan between 1997 and 2001. The live morning show, broadcast from a gaudily decorated house in East London, epitomised the chaotic, fun spirit of 90s television.
One of her most amusing recollections involves the confusion with rival channel L!VE TV. "One morning I remember everyone running around going, 'Why is Lionel Blair here? He was meant to do L!VE TV and the taxi brought him to us,'" Denise recalls with a laugh. "We had a whole two-hour show of just trying to find things for Lionel to do."
Missed Opportunities and Career Crossroads
The partnership with Johnny Vaughan nearly led Denise's career in a completely different direction. After recording their own version of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan's hit Especially For You in 1998 and performing it on Top Of The Pops, music mogul Simon Cowell offered her a record deal with ambitions to transform her into the British Kylie.
"Wow, you can sing. We'd love to sign you," Cowell told her in the studio. With a tinge of regret, Denise explains why she declined: "At the time I was with Jay Kay, who was in Jamiroquai. I felt like, 'Music's his thing.' I don't know why I said no really."
Navigating Setbacks and Reinvention
While Denise's showbiz journey has included significant highs, she openly acknowledges the low points that have peppered her career. She describes the film Run For Your Wife with Danny Dyer and Sarah Harding as "truly terrible," recalling how the premiere at Leicester Square's Odeon ended in "deadly silence."
Another challenging period followed The Big Breakfast with Something For The Weekend, a late-night game show based on sex that she believes "took her out of the running for a lot of prime-time shows." Despite being panned by critics, Denise demonstrates her resilient attitude: "I had to almost reinvent myself after that."
Returning to Theatre Roots
This reinvention led her back to her first love – theatre. In 2001, she revived her career spectacularly by playing Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago before taking the role to Broadway. "I'd gone through a very public break-up with Jay. It was a difficult time and it was the biggest distraction," she reflects. "It was great for me, personally and professionally."
Denise became the first celebrity to take on the role, starting a trend followed by Pamela Anderson and Claire Sweeney. This experience cemented her philosophy that "something always opens new doors, or introduces me to new friends" after setbacks.
Personal Resilience and Moving Forward
Denise's resilient approach extends beyond her professional life to her personal relationships. She admits that in her younger years she tended to "wallow in break-ups for too long" but now recognises how those experiences led to better outcomes.
After her 2013 separation from musicals star Lee Mead, with whom she shares 15-year-old daughter Betsy, Denise discovered a new passion for golf. Following her 2022 split from Eddie Boxshall, her Celebrity Gogglebox co-star, she immersed herself in DJing, securing residencies in Ibiza superclubs within two years.
"Those things would never have happened if not off the back of two broken relationships," she observes philosophically.
Modern Dating and Parenting Perspectives
Currently enjoying dating through apps like Raya, which she joined after encouragement from friend Louise Redknapp, Denise has paused her profile due to her upcoming tour. "I want no distractions!" she declares with determination.
As a mother, she maintains an "incredibly close" relationship with Betsy and offers thoughtful advice about potential showbiz careers. "People think having famous parents is an advantage, but it can be a disadvantage," she notes, acknowledging the challenges of social media and trolling in today's entertainment industry.
Denise and Lee continue to co-parent harmoniously, getting on "so well" despite their separation. She admits to struggling with giving Betsy the same freedom she enjoyed in her youth, reflecting contemporary parental concerns about safety.
Looking Ahead to the Stage
Denise is particularly excited for her daughter to see her perform on stage for the first time when An Evening With Denise Van Outen begins its UK tour in March. The show represents a celebration of turning 50 and follows her autobiography and album release, bringing together musical performances and unfiltered stories from her career.
"I've got so, so many stories," she promises enthusiastically. "And believe me, there's no filter. I can't wait!"
Through decades of television, theatre, personal challenges and triumphs, Denise Van Outen embodies the resilience she describes – constantly reinventing herself while maintaining the infectious energy that made her a 90s television icon.
