Denise lifts lid on humour and heartache behind Strictly (From Southend Standard)

Denise lifts lid on humour and heartache behind Strictly

7:00am Friday 12th October 2012 in Echo News Exclusive By Tom King

DENISE van Outen has opened her heart to reveal the passion, sadness – and practical jokes – behind her bid to win Strictly Come Dancing.

The revelations came as Denise issued a heartfelt plea to the people of Essex to back her with our votes. Denise, 38, born and raised in Basildon, said: “I'm an Essex Girl and always will be.

“I know from all the feedback that the people of Essex are rooting for me, and I want to say how grateful I am – and please, please, to everyone back home in Essex, keep those votes coming.”

Denise’s easily carried off the first round of Strictly on Saturday, scoring a winning 25 points with her stunning waltz routine.

She revealed that she was a complete novice to this style of dancing, but had been driven to perform well as a tribute to her late grandfather.

Commitment to the show meant that Denise had to miss his funeral.

She said: “The waltz is quite different from anything I've done before. I'm sort of hoping that it will turn me into a proper lady. “But my grand-dad did the waltz a lot with my nan when he was young, and it meant a lot to me that I was following in their footsteps. I wanted that waltz to be a tribute to him.”

Denise also broke silence on a mystery that has puzzled Twitter users everywhere – the crossed shoes.

Photos of the two rehearsal trainers appeared on Twitter in a variety of bizarre locations.

They have been seen soaking in the bath with Denise, playing the piano, and enjoying a tete a tete candlelit dinner together. Denise revealed: “I nicked them from my dance partner, James (Jordon). They are his. “He's a great practical joker himself. But I managed to get in first. He's still plotting his revenge.”