Denise Van Outen feels too old for presenting roles.

Denise Van Outen

Denise Van Outen

The former 'Big Breakfast' host - who presented the Channel 4 series in the late 90s and early 2000s - has noticed she's been met with "fewer opportunities" to front shows on the small screen since she turned 40 in May last year.

She explained: "As you get older there are fewer opportunities. I was very much the face of the Nineties."

However, the blonde beauty - who has a four-year-old daughter with her ex-husband Lee Mead - was offered the chance to star on ITV panel show 'Loose Women' but turned down the opportunity as she isn't prepared to talk about her personal life on TV.

She told The Sun newspaper: "I love the show, but for me it just doesn't work because I've worked so hard to make my situation with Lee work.

"It wouldn't feel respectful to talk about him and our daughter on national TV."

However, Denise insists she isn't worried about the lack of hosting work and is happy to focus on her acting career after making her debut on 'EastEnders' this year.

The star - who plays Karin Smart on the BBC One soap - appeared on the show to coincide with its 30th birthday celebrations and is now said to be in talks to join the cast full time.

She said: "I'd rather be acting now. My roots are East End. I've always said I'd one day do it."