Denise Van Outen, 50, says she’s reliant on dating apps to meet men as finding potential suitors ‘in real life’ is harder since moving to the countryside

Denise Van Outen has revealed she relies on dating apps to meet men as finding potential suitors is harder since moving to the countryside.

The presenter, 50, who has been single since splitting from Jimmy Barba in October 2023, joined exclusive dating app Raya last year.  

And in a new interview, she admits that without the dating app, she wouldn’t have much of a love life as meeting guys ‘in real life’ is not as easy while living in rural Kent.

She told The Sun: ‘When I was younger, there was the option to go out. But now I live in the country, it’s not like I’m able to just go to the pub. Even if I went to my local, they’re all my neighbours who I know anyway, so that’s of no value to me.’

Detailing how her only chance of meeting potential matches ‘in real life’ is online, she added: ‘I’m still on my Raya dating app. I’ve gone on quite a few dates with different people. I’ve seen so many celebrities [on Raya], but you aren’t allowed to say who is on there.’

The former Big Breakfast host noted that while it’s ‘really fun’ to use the app, she has often found herself paired with one of her mates.

Denise Van Outen has revealed she relies on dating apps to meet men as finding potential suitors is harder since moving to the countryside

In a new interview, she admits that without the dating app, she wouldn’t have much of a love life as meeting guys ‘in real life’ is not as easy while living in rural Kent

She added that she hasn’t really been active on Raya over the winter months, but with Summer fast approaching, she plans to change that, quipping: ‘Watch this space’.  

The performer, who shares 14-year-old daughter Betsy with ex-husband Lee Mead went on to emphasis how crucial it is for her to have the app as she would struggle to meet men otherwise.

She said: ‘Actually, for me, dating apps are a really good thing. I don’t know how else I would meet people if I wasn’t doing that.’

Denise also notes that being a single mother to her teenage daughter means that she simply cannot go to the pub during the week to meet someone, with the app her only way of communicating with guys.

While she adds that with her DJ work, she’s ‘in and out’ of the venue and ‘doesn’t ‘hang around’, lessening her chance of sparking up a romance with a gig goer. 

Despite Denise’s words about struggling to date, she previously told how she is ‘not fussed’ about being in a relationship right now. 

While she has been on a few dates since, she isn’t putting pressure on herself to find a new partner because she’s very content with her own company these days.

Referencing the end of her engagement to Eddie Boxshall, who she split from in January 2022 after discovering he had been unfaithful, she told Fabulous magazine: ‘I’m not fussed either way now. 

‘Now I live in the country, it’s not like I’m able to just go to the pub. Even if I went to my local, they’re all my neighbours who I know anyway, so that’s of no value to me’

The performer, who shares 14-year-old daughter Betsy with ex-husband Lee Mead went on to emphasis how crucial it is for her to have the app as she would struggle to meet men otherwise

‘Actually, for me, dating apps are a really good thing. I don’t know how else I would meet people if I wasn’t doing that’

‘I’m really good friends with Tamzin Outhwaite and we were saying: ‘Isn’t it nice to actually just be loving life and not feel pressured to have to be in a relationship or be with someone?’ I’ve learned to be on my own and be content.

‘This industry can feel pressurised, and then when things go wrong, it’s so public. You worry that people see you as a failure. I wonder if people say: ‘Why can’t she hold down a relationship? History keeps repeating itself, but I’m not chasing it now.’

She added that her relationship with Eddie only got cut short because of what she discovered he had done and that is the ‘sad part’ of the break up.

Denise said she is now ‘back to square one’ but is trying to keep a ‘positive outlook’ and ‘have an open heart’.  

If she does find a new partner, the Celebrity Gogglebox star – who has 14-year-old daughter Betsy with ex-husband Lee Mead – will be keeping her relationship private for some time.

Denise found love again with Jimmy Barba in July 2022 following her devastating split from Eddie.

The 50-year-old presenter – who has been single since splitting from Jimmy Barba [pictured] in October 2023 – joined exclusive dating app Raya earlier this year

She ended her engagement to Eddie Boxshall (seen together) in January 2022 after discovering he had been unfaithful

Denise went public with property developer Jimmy, 55, that summer after her split from her love rat ex Eddie, who she was with for seven years.

She ended her relationship with the commodities trader in January 2022 after discovering unfaithful messages.

Eddie moved out of Denise’s home following their shock split and was thought to be staying with friends.

Six months later, she went public with Jimmy, who she met through All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis, at the Grand Prix Ball and the pair enjoyed their first holiday together after jetting to Marbella.

A look back at Denise Van Outen’s love life

Jay Kay (1998-2001)  

Denise, who narrates The Only Way Is Essex, dated Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay, 52, for three years from 1998 to 2001. 

The TV personality, 47, enjoyed a highly-publicised relationship with the Jamiroquai bandmember, 52, before they ‘painfully’ called it quits back in 2001.

Denise even wrote about him in her new autobiography A Bit Of Me, and he claimed they called off their plans to marry due to ‘conflicting’ jobs at the time.

The ex files: The star, who narrates The Only Way Is Essex, dated Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay, 52, for three years from 1998 to 2001 (pictured in 1998)

Nick Moran (2001)

After Jay, there was a brief rebound fling with Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels actor Nick Moran. 

One onlooker observed of one of their date nights: ‘They were like a pair of magnets – stuck together all night. They were kissing and cuddling like love-struck kids.’ 

Yet their relationship wasn’t meant to be and the two stars split up shortly after they first began dating. 

Former flame: After Jay, there was a brief rebound fling with Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels actor Nick Moran

Richard Traviss (2003-2005) 

Following this, Denise dated nightclub owner Richard Traviss from 2003 until 2005, with the couple even becoming engaged during their romance.

During their relationship the couple were hit by cheating claims when a lapdancer penned a kiss and tell claiming to have slept with Richard in 2003 – claims that he and Denise denied. 

Despite this the couple called it quits two years later but on good terms, with Denise telling ES Magazine: ‘We’re still talking and we’re still great mates.’

Past romance: Denise dated nightclub owner Richard Traviss from 2003 until 2005, with the couple even becoming engaged during their romance (pictured in 2004)

Lee Mead (2007-2013) 

Denise first walked down the aisle to wed her daughter Betsy’s father Lee Mead, 40, however they separated four years later in 2013. 

Denise married Lee in the Seychelles in 2009, after meeting on the 2007 TV show Any Dream Will Do where she was a judge and he was a contestant. They welcomed Betsy in 2010. 

Denise confirmed they had parted ways in June 2013 – just six months after being named the runner-up on Strictly’s tenth series.

Former flame: Denise first walked down the aisle to wed her daughter Betsy’s father Lee, 40, in 2009, however they separated in 2013 (pictured in 2010)

Eddie Boxshall (2015-2022)  

Denise began dating commodities trader Eddie Boxshall in 2015 and while the couple were never formally engaged they had announced they planned to marry. 

She split from Eddie in January 2022 after he was caught having phone sex with other women, with Eddie later admitting he sent up to 20 sext messages behind Denise’s back. 

Eddie said he feels ashamed and ‘deeply regrets’ sending the messages and said he contacted his presenter ex-girlfriend many times to apologise but she did not want to reconcile their relationship. 

It’s all over: Denise began dating commodities trader Eddie Boxshall in 2015 and while the couple were never formally engaged they had announced they planned to marry, splitting in 2022 (pictured in 2015)