Denise rejects 'Enders role

Denise Van Outen rejected a part in EastEnders because she said she wanted to work with "credible" actors.

12:09 11 May 2005

Denise Van Outen rejected a part in EastEnders because she said she wanted to work with "credible" actors.

The Chicago star was offered the role of Tina Stewart, gangster Johnny Allen's mistress, now played by Charlotte Avery.

But 30-year-old Denise decided against joining Albert Square because she felt the part was little more than that of a tease - and she wanted to do something more serious.

"People may think it's an odd choice because it's not the coolest trendiest thing," she told the Daily Mirror about choosing a role in ITV1 drama, Where The Heart Is, instead.

"But it's something with real, credible actors, rather than going into something that in the first two scenes has me taking my clothes off and snogging the face off someone."

Keen not to offend the Walford cast, however, the former Big Breakfast star stressed that it was the type of role being offered that caused her to reject joining a soap that has seen its viewing figures take a serious hit in recent months.

"I know EastEnders is going through a tough time but that's not the reason I said no. My decision was purely because of the character," Denise insisted.