'IT'S CATHARTIC TO BE OPEN ABOUT HEARTBREAK'

DENISE VAN OUTEN TELLS OK! ABOUT DEALING WITH HER LOVE SPLIT. HER CAREER GOALS AND WHY 2022 IS A BIG YEAR FOR HER DAUGHTER BETSY

- KIRSTY HATCHER

BACK ON SONG

When OK! catches up with Denise Van Outen she is on a high, having just finished touring the UK as a judge with The Masked Singer Live.

"It was so much fun that I've kind of got the post-tour blues now," says the actress and presenter, who appeared as Fox on the ITV singing contest in 2020. "I was on a tour bus with Joel [Dommett] and Aston [Merrygold) and we just had such a lovely time hanging out.'

The tour was won by former EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa, who Denise says she can "100%" see being a huge star on the West End. "She was so good, her voice is incredible!" she says.

And with Denise having a ball on the tour, we have to ask if she's eyeing up a spot on the judging panel. Surely she'd be a shoo-in after the tour's success?

"I don't know about that," she laughs. "But if they asked, I'd do it. The tour will be happening again next year, so I'm hoping we'll all get invited back!"

The rest of this year is also set to be busy for Denise. With the tour now wrapped up, the 47-year-old has turned her attention back to filming for Steph's Packed Lunch. She is a presenter and panellist on the Channel 4 show, which is nominated in the daytime TV category at this weekend's BAFTAS.

"I love it," she says. "Me and Russell Kane are both from Essex and we're like the naughty school kids. We've got Steph's 40th soon, so I'll be rocking up to her party with a case of Lambrini! It's going to be a big one."

Denise was devastated by her split from Eddie