Denise in great shape for rink rollout

DENISE Van Outen says she is the fittest she has been in years.

She toned up thanks to workouts with a personal trainer and tough sessions for Dancing On Ice.

And at 46, she is determined to stay in shape.

Denise said: “When we had the first lockdown I ate for three weeks. Then I got up off the sofa and thought, ‘I can’t do this any longer.’ So I sorted myself out.

“I had a cabaret show coming up so I knew I’d have to get into fishnets and a corset and wanted to be ready for that.

“I was training a lot in my garden and my personal trainer set me a programme and I stuck to it.

“I have really worked hard. I knew I had to do something about it and when you get to my age you can’t afford to be lazy.” Denise added: “Obviously, skating every day I feel like I’ve got myself into pretty good shape. It is better than it has been for a long time.

“Doing this show has made a massive difference because it’s so physical.” West End star Denise is the oldest woman skating in this year’s series.

But because she is in such great shape she is happy to wear skimpy outfits.

When the new series kicks off on ITV tonight at 6pm, viewers will see her perform a routine to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary with pro partner Matt Evers. Denise said: “I’m doing it for the over-40s, so I’ve got to try to look half-decent.

“If I’m ever going to wear something skimpy on TV, it’s now on this show.

“In a few years from now I’ll be covered up and less daring.”

Before a tumble last night, she was one of the favourites to win. Bookies Coral offered odds of 8/1 she would lift the trophy.