Denise Van Outen’s ex Eddie Boxshall says he’s the ‘happiest he’s ever been’ as he goes Instagram official with blonde lookalike

Denise Van Outen’s ex-boyfriend Eddie Boxshall has claimed he’s the ‘happiest he’s ever been’ after going official on Instagram with his new girlfriend.

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

Denise ended her seven-year relationship with commodities trader Eddie in January 2022 after discovering unfaithful messages and has since found love with new boyfriend Jimmy Barba.

After Eddie debuted his new partner, fans quickly discovered the similarities with one lyric: “Someone going to say the obvious?”

Only for the star to reply, “Yeah, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been… good spot!”.

Six months after the split, Denise went public with Jimmy at the Grand Prix Ball and the pair enjoyed their first holiday together after flying to Marbella.

She explained that she didn’t want to go public until the relationship was “solid,” so the couple would instead spend hours chatting indoors.

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: ‘Nobody who knows Denise and Jimmy would be the least bit surprised if they got engaged next year.

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

At the TV Choice Awards, Denise explained that her new man is a close friend of her boyfriend, Blue star Duncan James, and 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.’

Of the breakup, 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 myself on something like that. Exercise is a big part of my life.’

Last July, he appeared to be joking about his ex-girlfriend via Instagram, sharing a story with a voiceover explaining, “It’s so much better to be alone than to be with someone that makes you feel alone’.

He previously labeled Denise as the “world’s worst detective,” after it was revealed that 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 alluding to 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 placed fourth.

What followed was a short-lived pop career, with Jimmy releasing three singles between 2012 and 2013 – though none managed to light up the charts.

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