Denise Van Outen’s ex treated her badly, I’m taking her new man for dinner to ensure he’s good enough, says Duncan James

DENISE Van Outen’s best mate Duncan James isn’t taking any chances when it comes to her happiness.

Following her heartbreaking split with Eddie Boxshall the performer, 48, has found happiness with property developer Jimmy Barba, 55 – with the pair making their red carpet debut this month.

Jude Edginton / Channel 4

Blue singer Duncan James unquestionably has the back of his ‘bestie’ Denise Van Outen[/caption]

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The All Rise vocalist told how he will take Denise’s new man out for dinner to make sure he’s up to scratch[/caption]

On-screen, Blue singer Duncan has replaced Eddie as Denise‘s Celebrity Gogglebox companion.

He candidly told The Mirror how he loves his “bestie” to “absolute bits.”

Talking of her future happiness, the All Rise hunk said: “I really hope it all works out with her new man Jimmy.

“I’ll be taking him out for dinner to make sure he’s good enough for her.

“She deserves all the happiness in the world.”

Talking of mum-of-one Denise‘s painful split with Eddie, with whom she had been talking marriage, he added: “In my opinion, the way Eddie treated her was really unfair.

“Denise was trying to put on a brave face but I could tell something was wrong.

“She is a strong old bird though and she got through it.

“She doesn’t take any crap and I respect that.”

Denise was with commodities trader Eddie since 2014 but they split in January when he admitted messaging and having phone sex with other women.

The devastated singer and actress asked Eddie to leave the home where they were regularly seen on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox.

During the painful time, Denise broke her silence over the break-up.

She posted a heartbreaking message alongside a black and white picture of her walking their two dogs on a beach.

Denise wrote: “Over the past couple of months, there has been much speculation regarding my relationship with Eddie.

“It saddens me to confirm that we are no longer a couple. I had to make the difficult decision not to continue in our relationship.

“I will always treasure the good times we spent together, and the memories made.”

She concluded: “We ask that you please respect our privacy at this time, especially for our children .”

Denise is mum to daughter Betsy, 11, from her marriage to Lee Mead, while Eddie has two grown-up children from a previous relationship.

The pair were planning to tie the knot this year.

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Denise went official with new man Jimmy Barba this week[/caption]

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It is a happier chapter following Denise’s heartbreaking split from Eddie Boxshall[/caption]

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Duncan has replaced Eddie on Celebrity Gogglebox and branded Eddie’s actions towards his mate ‘unfair’[/caption]