Denise Van Outen suddenly pulls out of OK! TV

Denise Van Outen suddenly pulls out of OK! TV
Denise Van Outen suddenly pulls out of OK! TV (Image credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Denise Van Outen has pulled out of presenting a new celebrity news show just days before it premieres. The announcement comes only hours after Channel Five bosses boasted of her role on OK! TV at a season launch. A spokeswoman for the channel said: "Due to other contractual commitments, Denise Van Outen will not be presenting OK! TV. Both parties wish each other the very best." The first episode of OK! TV, described by Five as 'a nightly entertainment magazine show', will be shown on Monday. The ex-Big Breakfast star, who was also a judge on BBC One musical hits such as Any Dream Will Do, was meant to co-host the show with Matt Johnson, a former boyfriend of The One Show presenter Alex Jones. Only two days ago Denise told followers on her Twitter page: "Had a great day at @OKTVOfficial towers with @Mattjohnsons. So excited about our new show." The launch of an OK! magazine spin-off on the station had been widely anticipated following publisher Richard Desmond's acquisition of Five last year. The new show is seen as a replacement for recently axed Live From Studio Five. Speaking about the show earlier this month, Denise said: "I have a huge appetite for all things showbiz so this show is right up my street. I'm really looking forward to working with Matt too and we can't wait to show the viewers what we've got in store."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.