Denise van Outen in EastEnders role

[Perdita]

EastEnders bosses have cast Denise Van Outen for a guest role in the show.

The actress will arrive on screen on the BBC One soap in the spring, but producers are keeping tight-lipped about the character that she will be playing.

Denise Van Outen
© Hackford Jones PR
Denise Van Outen

While secrecy surrounds Van Outen's role, insiders are tipping her new alter ego to "send sparks flying through Albert Square" as she romances one of Walford's male residents.

Speaking of her casting, Van Outen commented: "I'm really excited to be joining EastEnders, as I've been a fan of the series for years. 2015 marks the show's 30th anniversary, so it feels even more special to be part of this year's celebration."

EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "It was only a matter of time before Denise Van Outen walked onto the Square. We cannot wait to have Denise join us for a few episodes, where she will definitely make her presence felt."

Van Outen has often been linked to EastEnders over the years and once named it as the soap she would most like to appear in.

The 40-year-old's previous TV work includes roles in Where the Heart Is and Babes in the Wood. She is also known for her stage success, most notably playing Roxie Hart in Chicago in the West End and Broadway in 2001 and 2002.

[maidmarian]

dupl

[maidmarian]

sparks flying - a new phrase for the
excitementometer!!

[parkerman]

I hope the sparks don't cause an explosion that will rock the Square. If they do the lives of the inhabitants will never be the same........

[lizann]

a new mitchell for max

[owenlee4me]

Thank goodness it's only a guest role, can't stand her, surely there are other "actressess" better than her, infact is she an actress????????

[parkerman]

I used to like her on The Big Breakfast with Johnny Vaughan. A great pairing and a vintage period for the show.

[owenlee4me]

Think she was always a bit "tarty" and loud, is she an essex girl?

[tammyy2j]

Think she was always a bit "tarty" and loud, is she an essex girl?

She does the voice over for TOWIE so yes

[Perdita]

Denise van Outen has spoken about her guest role in EastEnders.

Speaking on Alan Carr Chatty Man, the actress revealed that her character is fun, naughty and has a bit of history with Phil Mitchell.

"The opportunity came up for this character and the time felt right," she explained.

"The character is really fun and she is a bit naughty - surprise surprise. I thought she is going to go in to The Square and stir things up a little bit. So I just grabbed the chance to play her."

Elaborating on her part, the 40-year-old said she will play a businesswoman who will "shake things up in the Square".

"I said if I was ever going to do it [accept a role in EastEnders], the two personas you can have really is to be the bitch or be a bit of a slut, and I chose to be a bit of a slut," she continued.

Denise Van Outen speaking on Alan Carr Chatty Man
© Channel 4

"She's a businesswoman and she really does shake things up in the Square. And there's a bit of history there with Phil Mitchell… I can't reveal too much but there's definitely going to be fireworks."

Van Outen has often been linked to EastEnders over the years and once named it as the soap she would most like to appear in.

Alan Carr Chatty Man airs on Channel 4 tonight (April 3) at 10pm.