Denise Van Outen in talks to join EastEnders as Queen Vic landlady

Denise Van Outen in talks to join EastEnders as Queen Vic landlady

Denise Van Outen is in secret talks to join EastEnders â€" and add a bit of glamour to the Queen Vic.

BBC bosses have already approached the actress and presenter twice before, but she turned them down.

Now, after a series of hush-hush meetings she is tipped to follow in the footsteps of Walford legends such as Angie and “Dirty” Den Watts.

Producers are desperate to inject some flirtiness and spice into the show to boost flagging ratings. Insiders say they see Denise, 38, as “a new, young and fresh” Peggy Mitchell. One source said: “It could be a brilliant casting move.

“She would be a perfect addition to the team with her stunning looks and hugely impressive acting credentials.”

Denise, who was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic more than a decade ago as sexy Roxie Hart in the stage musical Chicago, has made no secret of the fact that she would like to join the long-running show.  

She said last year: “I love EastEnders and I know quite a few people in the cast. I went to school with Nicola Stapleton (Mandy) and Samantha Womack (Ronnie). And Chris Parker, who used to play Spencer, is one of my best mates.”

Essex-born Denise, who has a daughter with her husband, Any Dream Will Do star Lee Mead, was tipped to make the move to Albert Square as far back as 2005.

Denise and husband Lee Mead

At the time she was being lined up as the wife of gangster Johnny Allen, played by Billy Murray. But instead she ended up taking a part in ITV drama Where The Heart Is.

Signing Denise would be a major coup for the Beeb â€" especially after EastEnders was thrashed by Corrie at last weekend’s British Soap Awards. A week ago it recorded its lowest ratings of the year, with a Tuesday episode peaking at just 5.2 million, while an Emmerdale special pulled in 7.5 million.

Last year the soap had a massive
overhaul with major characters â€" including Pat and Ricky Butcher, Derek Branning, Heather Trott and Syed Masood â€" all leaving the Square.

Janine Butcher and Dot Branning have also been off screen after actresses Charlie Brooks and June Brown took lengthy breaks.

Producer Bryan Kirkwood and drama boss John Yorke also left last year, to be replaced by Lorraine Newman.

Ratings have been on the slide for more than a year. Last May it emerged nearly 10% of the audience had turned off.

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