Denise Van Outen on singing her support for Team GB 2012
The Cadbury Dairy Milk's Keep Singing Keep Team GB Pumped campaign is designed to do exactly what it says on the tin. Whether you can hold a tune or even tone-deaf, Denise Van Outen and team GB want the British public to make some noise to celebrate the home games less than a year to the home games.
"It's really simple and easy to do online. People just go to the website, then all you have to do and record yourself," Denise tells FemaleFirst.
"Wherever you are or what party you're at, as soon as the karaoke comes out, people love a sing-song. So it's people's chance to shine and at the same time make the team GB in good spirits and spur them on really."
A lover of karaoke herself, Denise was the first to take to the microphone to support team GB: "I've always spoken very openly about my love of karaoke and they said would you be the first to get up to sing, which was a bit daunting as I said 'yes, course - I'd love it!' and I turned up at this party and it was filled with journalists and loads of people!
"But I had a couple of Cosmopolitans and I was on my way - I sang 'I Will Survive'," giggles Denise.
Although she doesn't have tickets to the London 2012 games, Denise fells very strongly about getting behind the athletes and showing support in anyway we can.
You have to think of your body as an athlete would, in the same way, and really look after yourself.
"I'm looking forward to the buzz it's going to create in our country. It's so British people complaining, especially Londoners, about them closing roads and saying how it's going to completely disrupt the transport system but I just think we should be really grateful. How often do you get to host the Olympics in your country?"
"Make it into an event for yourself, your friends and your family. If you've got kids, I think it's really important that you let them watch the Olympics and get them involved and excited," Denise continues.
"They are our future and you might be sitting at home with your 6 year old son or 6 year old daughter and they may have a hidden talent that even they haven't discovered yet, they could watch it and think 'this is amazing, I'm going to start doing that' and they could be the next Olympian."
Denise has had a long and successful career with roles in acting, presenting and on the stage. From a young age she has always known that this was the career path for her, taking dancing and singing classes as a school girl.
"I auditioned for Les Miserables when I was 11 and I got in that and then just when you sort of get on that professional ladder, if you work hard, normally things continue to happen."
"It's my passion and it's what I love," Denise enthuses.
"I love the fact that it makes me feel fit and quite competetive at times. It just makes me feel alive."
For those wishing to persue a career in the entertainment industry, Denise recommends getting an agent as young as possible and starting out on the auditioning circuit as you 'learn from working."
Stage performing has always remained a favourite part of the industry for Denise as she feels fulfilled and like she has done a day's work after coming home from a show. She also loves the buzz of a live crowd.
"I think doing Chicago on Broadway, that was a great feeling. I loved the opening night. I think it was also great as I didn't feel like I was being judged as much as people didn't know who I was," Denise explains.
"Another one of my favourites was doing Tell Me On A Sunday, because it's a one-woman show and I love that. It felt like an achievement to do 10 months on my own on the West End."
Working long days can often be tough when trying to stay in shape: "I make sure I stick to some sort of routine: Getting up at the same time everyday, making sure I don't go to bed too late, eating healthily - not eating too late which is a mistake that a lot of people make," Denise advises.
"You have to think of your body as an athlete would, in the same way, and really look after yourself."
Although Denise has a personal trainer, Nicky Waterman, to help her stay in shape with running and power-walking, she is an avid believer in taking in as much daylight as possible, particular as the dark winter months loom.
"Even if you can get outside for a 10 minute walk everyday or just try and get some fresh air, I think that's so important especially as we got into winter.
"We can get quite depressed as we get up when it's dark, go to bed when it's dark - we haven't got the sunshine, but try and get some daylight."
Aside from a quiet family Christmas with husband and Any Dream Will Do Winner Lee Mead and little daughter Betsy, Denise has some interesting acting work in the pipeline.
With a The Only Way Is Essex voiceover coming up, not to mention the release of film Run For Your Wife next year, Denise admits her role has 'reignited' her passion for acting.
"It's nice really because I get to do what I love and at the same time spend plenty of time with my daughter which is great because she's only one and a half so it's nice to be a hands on mum as well."
Denise van Outen is supporting Cadbury Dairy Milk's Keep Singing Keep Team GB Pumped campaign, part of its London 2012 Olympic Games sponsorship. For more information, visit keepourteampumped.com
FemaleFirst Jenna Fordie twitter: @Jenna_FAM
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