Denise to replace Kelly?

Denise Van Outen is set to replace "wooden" presenter Kelly Brook as the leading lady on Celebrity Love Island, reports claim.

13:23 25 September 2005

Denise Van Outen is set to replace "wooden" presenter Kelly Brook as the leading lady on Celebrity Love Island, reports claim.

The show's bosses allegedly believe former Big Breakfast host Denise, 31, will be the perfect person to help front the second series of the ITV1 hit, which features celebrity castaways hoping to find love in paradise.

TV executives have been holding "hush-hush" interviews to find Patrick Kielty a new co-presenter, after 25-year-old model Kelly was axed following her poor performance in the last series, the Sunday Mirror claims.

But despite alleged competition from former Love Island contestants Jayne Middlemiss, Rebecca Loos and Abi Titmuss, an ITV insider told the paper that Denise was the "number one choice" to replace her.

The show's bosses are reportedly hoping that Denise will be able to work with funny man Patrick to recreate the famous on-screen chemistry she shared with former Big Breakfast co-host Johnny Vaughan.

"Denise is still young and pretty - but she's seen it all and done it all," the unnamed ITV insider told the Sunday Mirror.

"She's the perfect foil for Patrick - who proved himself a real wit in the first series."

The next series of Celebrity Love Island is reportedly due to be screened this winter.