Denise Van Outen splits from boyfriend Jimmy Barba after 18 months
DENISE Van Outen has split from her boyfriend Jimmy Barba after dating for 18 months.
The 49-year-old went public with the hunky property developer, 55, last year shortly after her split from her cheating ex Eddie Boxshall.
But the whirlwind romance has run its course, with Denise telling The Sun: “We have decided to part ways but we remain great friends and our families and children are still in touch.”
An insider said: “It was a really tough decision to make but Denise knew it was best to end things with Jimmy as the romance ran it’s course.
“She’s had a rough few weeks and has thrown herself into work to get over it.
“She was so happy after all the drama and upset caused by Eddie and really trusted Jimmy.
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“Everyone loved and knew him, which made the decision even harder. She feels like she is back to square one now, but she had to follow her gut.”
The couple initially got together after All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis introduced them.
TV star Denise previously said she did not feel the need to vet Jimmy as she knew those closest to her would never set her up with someone she could not trust after her rocky love life.
At the start of their relationship they appeared to be inseparable and posed up together on red carpets, holidays and for Insta pictures.
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Jimmy last posted a picture with Denise over six weeks ago and she has been busy throwing herself into work - DJing and presenting on Steph's Packed Lunch.
Speaking about their romance in September of this year, Denise said: “I am in a really good relationship now. Jimmy is lovely."
Denise is mum to Betsy, who she shares with her ex Lee Mead.
The star was left heartbroken last year when she found out her then boyfriend Eddie Boxshall had been messaging other women.
Eddie, who started dating Denise in 2014, admitted swapping up to 20 sex texts behind her back.
Speaking about the betrayal, Denise later told us: “Obviously those things weren’t nice to go through, but where I’m at now with Jimmy [Barba], who has such a good energy, everything was worth it.
"Honestly, I feel like I’m in a nice, happy, good place. I wouldn’t change anything."
