Denise Outen was born on May 27, 1974, in Essex, England. The "Van" was later added to her name to make it sound more interesting. As a child, she demonstrated an interest in performing in public and seemed destined to become a celebrity of some sort.

Her parents later enrolled her in the renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School. As she grew into a young woman, Van Outen became exposed to the world of modeling and joined a litany of female stars in England who use the latter as a vehicle to launch a career in entertainment.

Her portfolio includes several rolls of racy shots, including nude and topless one. The exhibitionism has served Van Outen well in her quest for fame. After appearances on television in the UK, Van Outen was asked to join The Big Breakfast as a replacement. The show was a morning ratings hit in the UK (and later made a star of Kelly Brook), with a mix of interviews and comedy sketches. Van Outen soon became a popular staple on the show and with co-host Johnny Vaughan, formed a strong and visible television tandem.

However, in 1999, Van Outen was forced to leave the show for good, due in part to low ratings and interests in other endeavors. Those interests included the stage and film work. Van Outen received warm reviews for her portrayal as the scheming Roxie in the London production of Chicago. In addition, she completed her first feature film role as a flirt in the London Underground in the TV film Tube Tales, directed in part by Ewan McGregor and Jude Law.

Van Outen has also gained mileage out of her reputation as a capable and attractive television presenter, and has added to her list of small screen work over the years. As her TV work piled up, Van Outen has remained entrenched in the collective conscience of the British public.

Her popularity as an outrageous, humorous and shameless extrovert has worked in her favor as well. Of course, it would be negligent not to mention her relationship with Jason "Jay" Kay, the lead singer of British supergroup Jamiroquai.