Denise Van Outen gushes over ‘lovely’ beau Jimmy Barba and reveals her friends ‘vetted’ him before setting them up – after Eddie Boxshall split

Denise Van Outen gushed about her ‘beautiful’ boyfriend Jimmy Barba as she gave insight into their relationship on Sunday.

The presenter, 49, met Jimmy, 55, through All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis in the summer of 2022 and has gone from strength to strength since.

Denise found love again with Jimmy after her divorce from Eddie Boxshall, whom she dated for seven years.

The star ended the relationship with the commodities trader in January 2022 after discovering unfaithful messages.

In a new interview, Denise spoke about her “great relationship” with Jimmy and said she didn’t feel the need to investigate her new man because she knew those closest to her would never set her up with someone she didn’t like. could trust.

She said The sun: ‘I have a very good relationship now. Jimmy is sweet!’

Denise added of the friends they set up, “I was introduced to him through my friends who I have known most of my life.

‘I didn’t think I should have him x-rayed. I knew they would never set me up with someone I couldn’t trust. I knew they wouldn’t do that to me and he knows too many people.’

Blue star Duncan James and Gary Barlow were among her celebrity friends who gave him the seal of approval when he worked with Jimmy from his professional dancing days.

On her split from Eddie, she added: “I always knew it would work out in the end. I’m not one to sit there and dwell on things. I pick myself up and turn it into something positive and there’s so much to be grateful for.”

Presenter Denise found love again with Jimmy after her divorce from Eddie, with whom she was together for seven years.

The star ended the relationship with the commodities trader in January 2022 after discovering unfaithful messages.

Six months later she joined Jimmy in the crowd at the Grand Prix Ball and the pair enjoyed their first holiday together after flying to Marbella.

Denise explained that she didn’t want to make it public until the relationship was “solid,” so the couple ended up chatting indoors for hours instead.

And her friends definitely think he’s the one, because they think he’ll pop the question to Denise this year.

A source told MailOnline: ‘No one who knows Denise and Jimmy would be the least bit surprised if they get engaged next year.

“She’s been friends with him for a long time, but it’s developed into something very special.”

During the TV Choice Awards, Denise explained that her new man is a good friend of her boyfriend, Blue star Duncan James, and that he has worked as a professional dancer.

She said: “He’s been in the business before and Duncan’s friends all know him. ‘He used to be a dancer. I feel like I’m in good hands right now. He’s a nice guy.’

It comes after Denise’s ex-boyfriend Eddie claimed last month that he is the ‘happiest he’s ever been’ after going Instagram official with his new girlfriend.

The former Celebrity Googlebox star, 50, shared a photo cuddling up to the gorgeous blonde who bore a striking resemblance to his former flame.

After Eddie debuted his new partner, fans quickly discovered the similarities with one lyric: “Is anyone gonna say the obvious?”.

Only for the star to reply: ‘Yes, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been… well spotted!’.

Speaking about the split, Eddie told MailOnline in November: ‘There aren’t many breakups that are easy and, you know, they take their toll and it’s not fun and so for me to focus on something like that. Exercise is a big part of my life.”

In July last year, he appeared to make a joke about his ex-girlfriend via Instagram, sharing a story with a voiceover in which he explained: ‘It’s so much better to be alone than to be with someone that makes you feel like you’re alone’.

He previously branded Denise the ‘world’s worst detective’ after it was revealed she found out about his deception after discovering photos and messages on his iPad.

He posted a black and white photo of Inspector Clouseau, described as an ‘inept and incompetent police detective in France’s Sûreté’ – and the accompanying caption led many to believe he was hinting at his ex’s detective skills.

An Italian reality star, her new husband Jimmy became a household name in Italy in 2010 after starring in the eleventh series of Big Brother (Grande Fratello), where he finished in fourth place.

What followed was a short-lived pop career, with Jimmy releasing three singles between 2012 and 2013 – although they failed to light up the charts.

More recently, Jimmy – who described his career as a dancer and farmer when he appeared on Grande Fratello – has eschewed the world of showbiz to become a property developer.