Denise Van Outen Embraces Newfound Confidence and Freedom in Her Fifties

Denise Van Outen, 52, showcased a striking fashion choice of fishnet tights and mini shorts during a recent night out, coinciding with her public declaration of feeling "sexier than ever." The actress and singer shared images of her ensemble on Instagram, featuring a semi-sheer, glittering top and a faux-fur jacket, styled after getting ready in her hotel.

Van Outen attributed her increased confidence to reaching her fifties. "I feel sexier now than I did in my twenties in a bikini," she told The Sun earlier in the year. "So much more. I love the fact I've got curvier and my hips have expanded. I prefer my shape now to the way it was in the Nineties."

She credits self-acceptance as the key to her comfort in a bikini, stating, "The secret to feeling confident in a bikini is that I've learned to accept myself. I feel quite free when I'm wearing one."

The recent outing and her comments on confidence follow her reflections on regaining personal freedom as her daughter, Betsy, grows older. Betsy, born in 2010 to Van Outen and ex-husband Lee Mead, is now 16.

Van Outen noted that a significant portion of her focus for many years has been on raising her daughter. "She's just turned 16, she's only just got to an age where I sort of give her a little bit more slack, and she's really independent in certain areas of her life," Van Outen shared in an exclusive with the Daily Mail. "I think that brings with it a bit of peace and a bit of, you know, I can sort of relax a little bit, because anyone who's got children and has had kids would relate to the fact that it's a constant worry."

She added that her primary concerns were centered on "raising my daughter well and keeping her safe." Now that Betsy is more independent, Van Outen feels a sense of "second wind" and has experienced a return of her own freedom. She recalled past feelings of guilt when leaving for work, particularly when Betsy was younger and would cry at her departure. "Whereas now she's 16, she's happy to see the back of me. She's like, 'come on, off you go.'"

Van Outen and Mead married in 2009 and separated in 2013, citing demanding work schedules and growing apart. Despite their separation, Van Outen described their co-parenting relationship as "brilliant," though she acknowledged that she shouldered much of the parenting responsibilities, which presented challenges.