Denise Van Outen blasts coupled up pals after wild summer of partying and swapping messages with Hollywood star
DENISE Van Outen has blasted her coupled up pals after she had a wild summer of partying and message swapping with a Hollywood star.
The multi-talented actress has been single since splitting with property developer Jimmy Barba last but she’s happy staying that way.
Jimmy was her first relationship after she ended things with her partner of seven years, Eddie Boxshall.
Eddie had cheated on her and was messaging dozens of women online while they were planning their wedding.
Denise was hesitant to start dating again but was persuaded by her friends and joined the exclusive celebrity dating app Raya.
Denise said: ““I loved it. I’ve made some friends. I go on dates. I’m not an angel. I’m out having a good time.”
She continued: ““I did connect with one massive Hollywood star. We had a little bit of the chat, but I don’t live in LA, so I thought, he’s not going to come to Chelmsford.”
Denise explained that there are lots of celebrities on the app and she finds it funny when she is matched with one of her mates.
She says it’s all quite secretive: “I’ve seen so many celebrities, but you aren’t allowed to say who is on there.”
Despite enjoying dating new people, Denise doesn’t want to jump into another serious relationship.
After hearing about her friends romantic relationships, she explains: “My friends in these long-term relationships are all moaning to me anyway.
“They say they don’t have sex and argue all the time. They try to creep in at night when their other half’s asleep in bed.”
Instead, Denise is focusing on herself and her friends and family and is on a self-imposed booze ban to recharge her battery.
In an interview with The Mirror she said: “This summer has probably been the most sort of hedonistic summer I’ve had since the 90s.
“I’ve had a lot of fun a lot of going out lot of drinking rosé wine in the summer and enjoying myself. But I’m good at knowing when to stop.”
She explained: “I feel happier now than I used to, because I’m more content in myself. As we start to get older, you hear of people getting the illnesses.
“I lost a friend when she was quite young. It made me realise it’s more important to celebrate the fact you’re still here and still able to enjoy yourself and do things.”
Denise has a busy career in radio, television and theatre but she is also a mother and tries to balance both of her roles carefully.
Currently she is navigating the challenges of raising her 14 year old daughter Betsy, whom she shares with her ex-partner Lee Mead.
She admitted: “Parenting a teenager is always going to be tricky.”
“I’m very lucky that I get on with Betsy’s father brilliantly. So we have a really good relationship as friends.
“When he picks up Betsy he comes in for a cup of tea. I’m always busy working, and it’s hard to find the balance.
“I think it’s got easier as Betsy’s got older, as she understands more and she’s less bothered about hanging out with me.
“She wants to be with her friends, so I feel less guilty about taking certain work opportunities.”
One of those opportunities is a new show and Denise is excited about working with Johnny Vaughan again.
She explained: ““I’ve got some new shows commissioned with Channel 4.
“I’m working on with Johnny Vaughan – I’m not allowed to say on what – but I did Googlebox with him this summer, hopefully we’ll get back to doing that again.”