Denise Van Outen, 34, is a television presenter, radio DJ and actress. Her new karaoke show, Who Dares Sings, is on ITV1. She lives alone in London and dates the Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead

* My older sister was pretty reserved, so my mum did a test to see if I could be confident by giving me loads of encouragement. It worked.

* Not having job security doesn’t worry me. I trained at Sylvia Young’s: she said to me: “You don’t have to be brilliant at one thing, just be good at everything and you’ll never be out of work.” I haven’t for 10 years.

* I’ve invested my wages in property. I didn’t know what else to spend it on.

* When presenting in America, you’re told to speak slowly and to pull a whacky face. Their humour is much more slapstick — they love Benny Hill.

* I’m not as good at flirting now. I can’t be bothered, because I don’t need it so much. But wit is key — some women take themselves far too seriously. No man is going to want that.

* It’s been a problem dating civilians. It’s not so much a fame thing, but financial success. It’s amazing how many male egos can't deal with a woman who can support herself. It takes a strong man to overcome that.

* With a couple of guys I’ve dated, when I’ve removed my make-up and put on a tracksuit, they read this as me not being into them. I was shocked — I did it because I was comfy. Men are too used to women being groomed.

* I love karaoke. The worse you are, the more glory you get. It’s a bit boring if you’re good at it.

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