Denise van Outen, presenter, actor, and singer, shares her experience with heartbreak, finding solace in work and accepting being alone. She and Fearne also discuss their blended families and navigating changes in relationships. They reflect on the impact of heartache and the struggle of asking for help.
Heartbreak can be coped with differently, with some individuals seeking distraction through work.
Denise and Fearne discuss the importance of sharing heartbreak experiences with children in a measured and appropriate manner.
Denise emphasizes the power of therapy and self-discovery in overcoming heartache and improving emotional well-being.
Deep dives
Denise's Experience of Heartbreak
Denise opens up about her recent heartbreak and describes the emotional pain she experienced. She shares how heartbreak is a universal experience that can affect anyone, regardless of their circumstances. Denise reflects on sleepless nights and feelings of emptiness, highlighting the difficulty of getting through each day while feeling broken.
Denise's Friendship with Fern Cotton
Denise and Fern Cotton have been close friends for many years, bonding during their Kilimanjaro climb for charity. They discuss the comfort and safety they feel in each other's presence and the unique perspective they can provide due to their shared experiences of heartbreak and blended families.
Denise's Journey to Self-discovery
Denise opens up about her childhood, her early career, and the challenges she had to overcome, such as paying for private school through her own hard work. She emphasizes her deep passion for performing and the driving force that has guided her throughout her life. Denise reflects on the impact of personal relationships on her career and how she finds solace and strength in her work.
Dealing with Rejection and Critics
Denise discusses her resilience in the face of rejection and negative criticism. She shares that early experiences of rejection in her career allowed her to develop a thick skin and not take negative feedback personally. Denise emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal growth and not letting criticism deter her.
Denise's Healing Journey and Therapy
Denise shares that she is currently undergoing therapy to work through her heartache and to better understand herself. She speaks about the importance of therapy and self-discovery, particularly in improving her emotional well-being and preparing for her next relationship. Denise also mentions the benefits of taking breaks from social media to prioritize self-care and avoid comparison with others.
Heartbreak is a universal feeling, but everyone copes with it differently. Presenter, actor and singer Denise Van Outen tends to throw herself into work, keeping busy with exciting professional opportunities, to distract from any pain.
In this chat with Fearne, Denise talks about how she’s learnt to accept being alone after heartbreak and acknowledge the stillness without constantly trying to fill the void. Close friends Fearne and Denise also share their experiences of raising blended families, and chat about how much of your heartbreak – or any other pain – you should share with your kids.
Denise’s book, ‘A Bit of Me: From Basildon, to Broadway, and Back’, is available to buy now.