Denise van Outen worries about being seen as a ‘failure’ who ‘can’t hold a relationship’

Multi-talented star Denise van Outen’s showbusiness career began in 1986, when she played Eponine – a woman “redeemed by love” in West End hit Les Miserables. But Denise’s love life has seen more than its share of ups and downs, and she says she’s worried she is seen as a “failure,” romantically.

She dated Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay for over three years, inspiring a number of his songs, before splitting with him in 2001.

Eight years later, Denise married Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead, welcoming daughter Betsy in 2010. The couple separated in 2013, though, and officially divorced two years later.

From July 2014, Denise was in a relationship with commodities trader Eddie Boxshall, but the relationship ended in January 2022 after she discovered that he had been cheating on her – messaging dozens of women while he and Denise while they were planning their wedding.

Denise’s most recent serious relationship, with backing dancer turned property developer Jimmy Barba, ended in October 2023, and since then – she tells Fabulous Magazine – she’s been happily playing the field.

“I said yes to going on a dating and joined [celebrity-only dating app] Raya. I was so scared of dating, but I’ve gone on quite a few different dates with different people.”

“I’ve seen so many celebrities,” Denise adds, “but you aren’t allowed to say who is on there. It’s really funny as they try to match you, and some people who pop up are my mates. It’s been really fun.”

But as much fun as Denise is having, she fears being judged because her romances tend to be carried out in the public eye: “This industry can feel pressurised, and then when things go wrong, it’s so public. You worry that people see you as a failure. I wonder if people say: ‘Why can’t she hold down a relationship?’”

She adds that she’s taking a break from the idea of a long-term relationship: “History keeps repeating itself, but I’m not chasing it now.”