Denise Van Outen got her big break(fast) as a presenter on early morning TV, before moving on to The Bill, Babes In The Wood, and as a host on Capital Radio. Now she’s starring in her self-written stage show Some Girl I Used To Know. It’s had great reviews so far on tour, and is in London now.Ahead of her appeareance at G-A-Y Camp attack. Anthony Gilét went to find out just how CAMP Denise Van Outen is.
Have you ever been to a Pride Festival?
Yes, I have… I’ve been to the one in New York, the one in LA ( three times ). And obviously we’d get proper involved!
Getting proper involved, just like a hag should! What about celebrations on home soil though?
Who’s the ultimate 80s pop icon?
Well obviously I’m a big WHAM fan. Kylie, Culture Club, Boy George…
Quite frankly, the only way this answer could have been any camper was with Elton John.
What song did Abba win the Eurovision with?
Erm… Was it ‘Winner Takes It All?’ No? ‘Dancing Queen?’
Afraid not. It was ‘Waterloo’. One point for having a stab, though.
When was the last time you done the walk of shame?
Oh it was recently actually. I’d been to The Box and got locked out of my flat and completely smashed up my phone. I went back to this guy’s house in South East London and he lent me a tracksuit to walk home in. He was 6’3”, so it was hanging off me, but the hair was still perfect from the night before.
Fierce honey! Points for breaking/losing possessions, pulling a sort and copious amounts of hairspray.
Favourite Cocktail?
Penis Enlarger. With all the sparklers etc. If you’re gonna do a cocktail, do it right.
If it needs enlarging there’s something wrong, babes! But you’re right about the accessories!
Who should win the criminally camp award of the Noughties: S Club 7, Girls Aloud or Westlife?
Girls Aloud ‘cause they’ve got a bit of everything! Glitter, sequins, PVC…
Very true. But S Club 7 were much more criminal!
How many members of The Saturdays can you name?
Mollie, Frankie, Rochelle, Una… Vanessa!
Even we had to Google that one.
Give us a quote from Mean Girls!
Oh no, I can’t… It’s been so long since I’ve seen it.
Erm, what? It’s the Bible of gay films. Disappointed!
What disco track gets you on the dance floor?
Hmm… Probably Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’. It would have to be something by Donna Summer.
You gotta love a bit of Donna. We’d personally have gone with ‘On The Radio’. But still a good choice!
Have you ever bitch slapped someone?
Erm, not necessarily bitch-slapped, but I did jab Naomi Campbell in the ribs once. We’ve been at parties since then so all is forgiven, but this was years and years ago. We flew out to Paris, and she was all over JK [Jamiroquai – who Denise was dating at the time] and I got well jeal, told her to get her grubby mitts off him.
It’s not quite a Peggy Mitchell. But anyone with the balls to face Naomi and not end up with a phone dashed at them deserves top marks!
Who would you rather be trapped in a lift with; Alan Carr, Graham Norton or Paul O’Grady?
Alan Carr, ‘cause he’s so naughty – you’d have a right laugh.
Totally!
Kylie, Britney or Madonna?
For me, it’s always going to be Kylie. Madonna was a bit before me, Kylie was what I was listening to growing up.
We gotta admire her loyalty to her childhood hero.
• Denise Van Outen will be singing on stage G-A-Y Camp Attack on Friday 29th August at Heaven, (under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG). Free entry wrist bands available from G-A-Y Bar.
