A regular on our screens since the 90s, Denise van Outen has a pretty impressive CV.
And the actress, presenter, dancer, singer and DJ is still entertaining us with stints on Gogglebox with best pal Duncan James, as well as partying up a storm on the decks in Ibiza.
Here, Denise talks about what inspired her new dance track, taking part in a sexy photoshoot to celebrate turning 50 and why she’s embracing life as a single mum…
You have a new single out called Discoliscious. How did that come about?
I set up a DJ agency called Discoliscious with my business partner, Jemma Bolt. We saw a gap in the market for a safe party space for the queer community and women where it’s all about the music and dancing. It has gone international so we needed more DJs and it made sense to start the agency to bring in talent.
Then I thought that we needed an anthem for the end of a party, so I wrote Discoliscious…
What is the song inspired by?
It is a fun dance track about finding a better guy, having your moment in the spotlight and saying ‘up yours’ to anyone who lets you down. I was looking for a male model or dancer to be the video’s love interest and a friend introduced me to Sweeney, one of the Magic Mike guys – he’s so talented.
You look amazing in the video and also did a sexy photoshoot to celebrate turning 50. Did that feel empowering?
I’m loving it. It gave me a focus because I wanted to spend a few weeks when I trained hard, didn’t drink alcohol, cut out sugar and followed a strict low-carb, high-protein diet. I got myself in really good shape but the minute the shoot was done, my birthday kicked in and I had a month celebrating with friends.
Did you imagine you’d look so hot at 50?
I don’t think of myself like that because if I did, I wouldn’t be a decent person! But I do feel it’s liberating getting older. I try not to beat myself up over what I look like. I’m more health conscious than ever, not just in body but mind.
It sounds as though you’re embracing being single, too…
I really felt that turning 50 – not in a bad way – wasn’t where 40-year-old me thought I might be. I hoped I’d be settled down and that never happened, but I didn’t want to go into my 50s with a negative outlook.
I’ve always been a relationship person. But I thought I’m going to embrace my 50s and have a year of doing the things I love. Last weekend my daughter Betsy, who’s 14, came with me to a DJ gig so I was spending quality time with her.
You’ve joined a celebrity dating app. Is it your first taste of internet love?
Yeah, I’ve never really done the dating scene – it’s fun. But I’m so busy I’ve had to step back from going on dates. I’ve met some nice people on the app – they’re not always romantic but I’ve become friends with a couple of them. I’m not in any rush to meet someone.
You’re DJing at Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival…
Fearne’s one of my closest friends – she’s always got really good advice. You realise who your real friends are when things aren’t going so well. And it’s amazing what she’s created with Happy Place – it’s a wellness festival so it’s got a really good energy. You always leave with a big smile. It’s a dry festival so it’s nice to see all these incredible people not get drunk but just listen to the music.
You’re also good mates with Duncan James, who you do Gogglebox with…
I love Dunc – he’s another of my closest friends. It’s always good to have a gay best friend. Duncan’s the sort of person I’d ring up and ask what outfit I should wear or what shoes go with a dress and he’ll give the right answer.
You’re bringing back your musical Some Girl I Used To Know for its tenth anniversary…
That was another thing I wanted to do to mark my 50th. I wrote it with Terry Ronald and it addresses issues about whether to start a family or focus on your career. But it’s daunting. And I’ve already started going over the script to do some rewrites because after ten years, some bits feel dated.
It’s scary being on a stage on your own for two hours but also liberating. A lot of women will relate to the story – I want it to be the voice of a generation where a lot of us put careers first and ask can you have it all?
Would you do more on the West End?
Oh, 100%. I stepped back from it because it’s such a commitment. Betsy’s dad, Lee Mead, is in Sister Act this summer – I’ve always maintained a really good relationship with him.
When you do a West End show, it’s eight shows a week and your evenings are gone, so it has to be at a time when Lee can be more hands-on. But in time, I’d love to get back to the West End. I’m a single mum so it’s always a juggle but I’m not the only one – we just crack on with it.
For Discoliscious gig dates and events, visit discoliscious.com