Big Breakfast hosts Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan reunite
They became household names as hosts of the iconic breakfast show, The Big Breakfast, in the 90s.
And Denise Van Outen, 49, and Johnny Vaughan, 56, – previously embroiled in a feud, reunited for their first TV appearance in 20 years on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Tuesday.
The duo shared photos of hair and makeup on social media, with Johnny writing, “Getting ready for @packedlunchc4.
“I just brushed up with @vanouten_denise. The show starts promptly at 12:00 PM. No latecomers please.’
Fans went wild for the snaps, asking, “Is Zig And Zag coming back?”
“Are Zig And Zag coming back too?” Former feuding Big Breakfast hosts Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan reunited for a TV show for the first time in 20 years on Tuesday
Together again: Denise and Johnny, who were previously involved in a public feud, present together on Steph’s Packed Lunch from 12pm
Reunited: The pair had a very public falling out over a contract dispute in the 90s, but have since reconciled their differences
“You got me out of bed for school in the 90s – I loved you on Big Brekkie was a good laugh, thank you both x.”
“Great to see you two working together again. I enjoyed many happy mornings watching The Big Breakfast as a teenager before going to school. What a positivity first of all.’
Denise and Johnny, who famously fronted Channel 4’s early morning show from 1998 to 2001, will share hosting duties together again on June 13.
Speaking on last week’s packed lunch, Denise regularly told presenter Steph McGovern: ‘Steph’s packed lunch will be presented next week by me and… Johnny Vaughan.
“We talk all the time and we keep saying we should do something together and this just feels like the perfect time for us. I can’t wait, I’m so excited.
“The last time we were actually on screen together, it wasn’t The Big Breakfast; we did a game show called Passport to Paradise and that was 20 years ago.”
Johnny added: “We’ve had Blur, the Gallagher Brothers are rumored and now we can now confirm it’s the big one, the ’90s reunion you’ve been waiting for… Johnny and Denise, and me can not wait. ‘
Steph said, “I’m so excited about this because it’s the reunion we’ve all been longing for for about 20 years.”
The pair were last seen together on TV in 2004 on the BBC1 Saturday night entertainment series, Passport to Paradise.
A reunion between the pair was first teased in 2021, after Denise revealed that the presenting duo had called off their feud during the Covid pandemic.
MailOnline revealed at the time that Channel 4 bosses were considering bringing back the cult show to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Denise confirmed that she had already discussed ideas with her former co-host, but unfortunately the plan never came to fruition.
Out of this world: Famous characters Zig and Zag were famous faces on the show – pictured with supermodel Caprice in 1998
Tease: A reunion between Denise and Johnny was first teased in 2021, after Denise revealed that the presenting duo had ended their feud during the Covid pandemic
Denise told MailOnline exclusively at the time: “We have started conversations. It would be nice to do something on the occasion of the 30th anniversary.
“The original house has so many great memories and it would be great if we could return and film there, even though it has been renovated.
“We would love to see all the old faces return and play some of the old games as well. I’m sure the fans will love it and see it as a real nostalgia trip.
“It would be so nice to work with Johnny on show again, which means so much to both of us.”
On restoring her relationship with Radio X DJ Johnny, she added: ‘It was really nice that me and Johnny are back in touch.
“It’s weird because we’ve never had a huge fight or fight, we just act like sloppy teenagers with each other.” We are probably similar in many ways and sometimes your personalities can clash.
“But actually I have a lot of love for Johnny and I’m sure he feels the same way about our friendship.”
Airing between 1992 and 2002, The Big Breakfast was viewed by two million viewers in its heyday and attracted some of showbiz’s biggest names as guests.
Making a comeback: Airing between 1992 and 2002, The Big Breakfast was watched by two million viewers in its heyday and attracted some of the biggest names in showbiz as guests
Hosts: Johnny and Denise were arguably the show’s most popular presenting duo, alongside original hosts (L-R) Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin. Pictured with Mark Lamarr (right) in 1992
Johnny and Denise were arguably the show’s most popular presenting duo, alongside original hosts Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin who ran the show between 1992 and 1994.
Channel 4 brought back The Big Breakfast in 2021 for a one-off special as part of Black Takeover Day hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan.
During the interview, she admitted that both herself and Johnny used to get away with edgier content compared to now and also claims that the outfits she wore on the morning show were ‘inappropriate’.
Denise explained, “When I look back I think how free it was. We had no script, no autocue, and we always got away with saying things that probably wouldn’t be acceptable now.
“I’m sure I was dressing very inappropriately at 7 in the morning. I dressed like I just came out of a nightclub. It was all part of it.’
Denise’s relationship with Johnny broke down after a contract dispute that led to her decision to leave the show in January 1999.
The pair briefly reunited in September of the following year for Johnny’s final four months as host, and again in 2008 when Denise co-hosted the Capital FM breakfast show with her longtime co-host, but they struggled to recreate their original chemistry. to recover.