OPENING UP TO OK! ‘THE SHIP HAS SAILED FOR A BABY BUT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE'

FROM THEIR BEAUTIFUL ESSEX HOME DENISE VAN OUTEN AND PARTNER EDDIE BOXSHALL TELL OK!’S KAT ROMERO WHY WEDDING BELLS ARE ON THE CARDS BUT BABIES ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION

- KAT ROMERO

While the prospect of locking down with your partner might have proved daunting for some, Denise Van Outen and her boyfriend Eddie Boxshall have been getting on like a house on fire. They say the quality time together has only improved their six-year romance. The couple have been isolating at their five-bedroom Chelmsford home with Denise’s 10-year-old daughter Betsy, from her marriage to actor Lee Mead.

During isolation, they’ve been entertaining audiences on Celebrity Gogglebox and when OK! speaks to them on the phone for an exclusive chat, their strong chemistry and witty banter is clear from the get go. “Be honest, was I the star?” Eddie teases.

“He thinks he’s a celebrity now,” Denise jokes. “He came back from the chippy the other day and was so excited because they recognised him and gave us extra chips.” The couple started dating in 2014 when they were set up on a blind date and Denise says she knew he was The One after 10 minutes. “Five minutes, more like!” Eddie laughs.

Despite their instant connection, the couple have always taken things slow. Eddie, 45, didn’t meet Denise’s daughter Betsy until a year into their relationship and the pair only moved in together officially last year. When it comes to the topic of getting engaged, they both insist there’s no rush. “We’ve always said we’d never rule it out,” Denise, 46, says.

Here, the couple open up about their love story, blended families and why they won’t be having children together...