TGtS Meets...Denise Van Outen

Star of stage and screen, Denise Van Outen chatted to us about her new one woman show, juggling her career and being a mum, plus a super secret project with Strictly stars Kimberley Walsh and Kara Tointon!

You've added playwright to your list of talents, did inspiration strike immediately or was it a lengthy process penning the show?

It's taken two years to turn an idea in my head into a fully fledged stage show! I couldn't be more proud of the end result.

Where did the inspiration for the show come from?  

It was a combination of Shirley Valentine and my last one woman show, Tell Me on a Sunday.

Does being co-writer and sole performer bring extra pressure?

Definitely, because you can’t blame the writer if people don’t like it!

What challenges have you faced while preparing for the show?

The hardest thing is being a Mum to a toddler and working through this intense process. But, like all working Mothers you just get on with it.

Do you ever find performing on your own a daunting experience?

Yes, very daunting. But when you get a good audience it’s very rewarding.

Did you always want to become a performer?

I was a real show off when I was a kid, so there really wasn’t any other option.

Are there any other major roles you’d love to play?

Madame Thénardier in Les Miserables, purely because I enjoy character acting.

Is touring lonely? How do you cope with being away from your family and friends?

My daughter, Betsy, will stay with me a couple of times a week. But I’m not on my own; I have a tour manager, musical director and lighting and sound technicians.

The show divides opinion about whether or not you should revisit past relationships, have audiences members been keen to share their own experiences and views with you after the show?

Yes, many and Twitter and Facebook has got a lot to answer for.

We loved you in Strictly Come Dancing. Would you ever consider taking part in another reality show?

The only one I would do is MasterChef because I love cooking.

It's fair to say that you used to be a bit of a party girl, now that you're a little older what's your ideal way to spend a Saturday night?

I love to spend it with my girlfriends gossiping over a glass of wine.

Aside from touring what else does 2014 hold for you?

I’m dusting off my dancing shoes and joining forces with Kimberley Walsh and Kara Tointon, and that’s all we can say. Look out for us at a theatre near you!