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Denise thinks artists like Leona should be applauded
Denise thinks artists like Leona should be applauded

'Let's praise drug-free stars', says Van Outen

Tuesday 10th June

Denise Van Outen has called for stars like Leona Lewis to be celebrated more than artists such as Amy Winehouse.

Denise, who was a judge on the BBC talent search I'd Do Anything, compared the attention the former X Factor winner receives with that paid to those with drug problems.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine she said: "I couldn't believe it when I opened the paper the other day and saw a massive picture of Amy Winehouse, completely off her face.

"What bothered me was that in the corner was a tiny story congratulating Leona Lewis for storming the US charts. If you ask me, we should be bigging her up, not people who are struggling with drugs."

She added: "God, and to think I thought I was wild when I was younger. Now I hear stories and I'm like, 'I'd never do that!'"

Denise, who's currently dating Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead, also revealed why having a relationship with a man in his 20s was right for her.

She said: "Personally, a man in his 20s works for me. In my experience, single men in their mid to late 30s tend to be single for a reason. The good ones get snapped up."

Speaking about her past, she said she'd sometimes been 'too much to handle' for men in her life, adding: "In fact, some of my previous relationships have ended because I haven't been needy enough.

"It's all too easy to attack WAGs for being gold-diggers but, believe me, there are plenty of men who need that type of girl."

The full interview appears in the July issue of Cosmopolitan, on sale Thursday.

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