Denise Van Outen: My toyboy Lee wears the trousers

Denise is young and sexy with loads of attitude, but still an old fashioned girl at heart who loves a man that takes control

Monday, 24 March 2008

Right now, life couldn’t get much sweeter for Denise Van Outen, 33. She’s back on TV as a judge on I’ll Do Anything, she’s got a hot new toyboy – 26-year-old Joseph star Lee Mead – and is co-hosting Capital Radio’s breakfast show with her old Big Breakfast partner-in-crime Johnny Vaughan. In fact, when Denise arrives at our shoot to launch her fantastic NOW column, she’s been up since 4am, but she’s happy to talk about her sexy new man, her ‘marriage pact’ with David Walliams and why Jay Kay will always have a place in her heart.

Come on, how’s it going with your new man Lee Mead?
Yeah, it’s good. We’re just trying to make it work at the moment as he’s working nights and I’m working mornings, but we get to spend time with each other during the day and on Sundays.

Any truth in the rumours that you’re moving in together?
No! There were rumours we’d moved in together, but it’s only been four months. The problem is, whenever I start going out with someone, the press marry me off!

Are you enjoying dating a toyboy?
I don’t really notice the age gap. One of my friends is dating a guy 15 years older than her and another one is dating one eight years younger – but I really don’t think it matters. Anyway, Lee’s more mature than some of the guys I’ve dated who are 10 years older than me!

Do you wear the trousers in the relationship?
Oh no! I like the man to be a man. Lee appears to be shy, but he’s just humble about the whole Joseph experience.

Being the older woman, have you been able to teach Lee any tricks in bed?
I would never disclose any of that information [laughs].

Is it difficult with both of you being in the public eye?
Yeah. It’s hard keeping some things private. We just want a normal, healthy relationship.

You were very honest about James Lance dumping you. Are you still in contact?
No! I tend to move on very quickly, as you can see [laughs]. I just picked myself up and got on with my life.

Are you on friendly terms with any of your other exes?
I still keep in touch with Jay Kay. We’re really good friends. And I keep in touch with a lot of the others, too. If I finish a relationship, I’m reluctant to keep in touch in case they think I’m interested again. I can’t be bothered with the ones that ended it spinelessly!

You and David Walliams had made a pact to marry if you were both still single. Have you ditched him now?
Well, I actually left the country the day the bet was up! [Laughs] I adore David. I’ve asked for a six-month extension on our bet as I’m in a new relationship.

It must be great to be working with Johnny again.
It’s brilliant! We’ve stayed friends since the Big Breakfast days. Johnny and I don’t have a script, we get on air and do our thing – that’s the joy of working with him.

How are the I’ll Do Anything auditions going?
The contestants are of a really high standard, so we’ll see if they crack under pressure. Having seen the success Connie Fisher and Lee have had, people know what they can achieve, so they’re pushing themselves really early on in the competition.

Have you made anyone cry yet?
No, but we’ve had tears. Having experienced West End shows, I know what we’re looking for. I remember telling one boy that he wasn’t physically right for the role of Joseph as the character spends a lot of time in a loin cloth, but I wouldn’t make a comment like that to the girls up for the role of Nancy in Oliver.

Do you try to stay in shape?
Oh no! I’m not a gym bunny. I don’t obsess about my weight, so I don’t mind when I fluctuate.

What’s next for you?
I have to be honest, I’m 34 this year and I need to make time for family and relationships.

So you’d be happy to put work on the back burner?
Definitely. That’s why I’ve worked as hard as I have up until now. I’ve had the opportunity to settle down with other people, but they weren’t right. When I get married, I only want to do it once.

Do you ever get broody?
It comes in waves. When I was approaching 30, I really wanted to do it ASAP, but now that I’m 33, I quite like my life, so I’m not in any hurry.