Outen about with Denise

"A couple of my friends who are married, or in long-term relationships, have said to me, 'It's just not working' ... or 'We're not having as much sex as we used to' ... And I'm like, 'But these are the things that happen in every relationship!' Maybe it's different for me because I've never had an issue with sex. To me, it's there to be enjoyed - and I've enjoyed it! And I can't say I've learnt anything from it because I knew it all already," Denise tells Cosmopolitan magazine.

Having always been a strong and independent woman, Denise revealed why she's been too much for many men to handle in the past.

"There have been times where I've been too much to handle for the men in my life. In fact, some of my previous relationships have ended because I haven't been needy enough... It's all too easy to attack WAGs for being gold-diggers but, believe me, there are plenty of men who need that type of girl.

"Personally though, a man in his twenties works for me. In my experience, single men in their mid-to-late thirties tend to be single for a reason. The good ones get snapped up."

Talking about the life lessons she's picked up over the years, Denise said she'd go to great lengths to get back on the stage again: "Appreciate everything you have now. I (once) did a one-woman show called Tell Me On A Sunday in the West End for two years, which was written for me by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

"And you know what's funny? Right now, I'd kill to go back and do that again – but, at the time, it was just work. It taught me that I should learn to love the here and now because in a couple of years I'm going to look back on it as the best time of my life."

Probably not a phrase Denise would use in relation to the late 1990s.

"Looking back at my 'ladette' label in the late '90s makes me laugh - because I'm the least laddy person I know! It took a while to shake it off but I'm living proof that you can change your image. I went from flashing my boobs at Prince Charles to being a serious stage actress – and now I'm a judge for Andrew Lloyd Webber!"

A positive example which should be celebrated rather than the current attention given to the likes of Pete Doherty and co: "I couldn't believe it when I opened the paper the other day and saw a massive picture of Amy Winehouse, completely off her face. What bothered me was that in the corner was a tiny story congratulating Leona Lewis for storming the US charts. If you ask me, we should be bigging her up, not people who are struggling with drugs. God, and to think I thought I was wild when I was younger. Now I hear stories and I'm like, 'I'd never do that!'"

Commenting on what makes her happy, Denise reveals that's she a sucker for the golden oldies.

"True confidence comes from knowing exactly what you do – and don't – want out of life. For me, that came with age... Now, I know how to make myself happy – like if I'm in a bad mood, I'll stick on I'm In The Mood For Dancing by The Nolans and dance around my flat."

You can read the full Denise Van Outen interview in the June issue of Cosmopolitan magazine – out now.