Denise Van Outen blasts celebrities who break Covid-19 lockdown restrictions

Denise Van Outen has blasted celebrities who break Covid-19 restrictions as she believes their fame comes with a certain level of responsibility.

The 46-year-old actress and singer was speaking to The Mirror when she branded rule-breaking celebs as ‘irresponsible’.

Denise did not mention any particular celebrities by name, however, stars such as Rita Ora have admitted breaking lockdown rules, while Zara Holland and Kay Burley have been previously been accused of flouting.

Speaking to the paper, she said: ‘That’s why you get paid well and get to have a nice time –because you also have a responsibility to be a role model to others.

‘I just kept thinking we’ve all made a lot of sacrifices you know, so I find it quite irresponsible.

‘If you’re in media, it comes with a certain responsibility – you can’t have it all nice.’

Denise added that if celebrities act in a certain way because they think they are above the law, then their behaviour is not acceptable. 

She also revealed that she had not seen either of her parents until recently after they had both received both of their Covid vaccine doses. 

Singer Rita Ora previously apologised after breaking lockdown rules to host a 30th birthday party at a Notting Hill restaurant.

She star apologised after being criticised for hosting the event at a time when gatherings of more than six people had been banned.

Sky news presenter Kay Burley also publicly apologised after ‘inadvertently’ breaking Covid rules while celebrating her 60th birthday allegedly alongside work colleagues from outside of her support bubble.

Meanwhile, Zara Holland was fined £4,415 by a court in Barbados after allegedly failing to self-isolate in her hotel following a Covid test back in December. 

It comes after Denise decided to ride out the coronavirus storm and delay her eagerly-awaited nuptials so that she can have a grand celebration with her nearest and dearest.  

The TV personality, 46, said she’s happy to jump to the back of the wedding queue to allow other couples to exchange vows first, as she predicts a ‘massive backlog’ due to the pandemic. 

Speaking to The Sun on Friday, she said: ‘We’re not engaged but we are preparing to get married. It will definitely happen but we’re not in a rush. 

‘We don’t want a small wedding. We want a big group of people and a big party with no restrictions.

‘Plus, with all the weddings that have been cancelled because of the pandemic, there’s going to be a massive backlog and I wouldn’t want to get in the way of all of them. Let them all go first!’  

Denise and her commodities trader partner, 46, have been an item for seven years and currently live in Essex with her daughter Besty, nine, whom she shares with West End star Lee Mead. 

Eddie also has two children from a previous relationship.  

Denise gushed that she knew he was ‘The One’ very early on in their relationship,  and that living together has only heightened her feelings. 

While they’ve had to push back their wedding plans, the mother-of-one admitted they already act like a married couple. 

The pair, who frequently appear together on Celebrity Gogglebox, are skipping the traditional engagement process having both been married before. 

Denise first walked down the aisle to wed her father’s daughter Lee, 39, in 2009, however they separated in 2013. 

The former Big Breakfast presenter revealed she was planning on turning the tables by proposing to Eddie in 2020 because it was a leap year. 

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic scuppered her plans as she admitted it was ‘impossible’ to organise and it ‘didn’t feel right’.  

Instead, the couple came to a joint decision to skip the proposal, opting for a modern approach. 

According to Denise, she said the thing that appeals to her most about marriage is the commitment between two individuals and ‘feeling loved’, declaring she doesn’t need a ‘big rock’ on her finger to prove that. 

Instead, the Essex-based couple are planning to exchange simple wedding bands when they meet at the alter.   

During the interview with The Sun, Denise praised Eddie for being brilliant with her daughter and for helping out with her home-schooling during lockdown, which she admitted was really challenging. 

The former Dancing On Ice contestant said Betsy found last year ‘tough’ after not being able to see her pals or attend school, especially as she is an only child.  

Denise confirmed she has ruled out the possibility of having more children and said she has ‘no regrets’ about her decision, despite considering it a few years ago. 

As she approaches her 47th birthday next month, the mother-of-one said she still tries to embrace her femininity and ‘looks fondly’ back at her lads’ mag cover shoots in the 90s. 

Denise, who recently hosted her own cabaret production in London, said looking good has become a ‘focus’ in her life as she credited the titillating burlesque show and her glamorous colleagues for inspiring her. 

She admitted during lockdown, it can be easy to succumb to the comfort of Ugg boots and tracksuits everyday, but looking good for her partner and dressing up makes her feel better.