Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Celebrity
Ali Condon
TV star Denise Van Outen has revealed that she was once a victim of a traumatic revenge porn incident at just 15 years of age.
The presenter and West End star is set to tell all in her new book A Bit Of Me, after hearing other reality stars open up about similar experiences.
In an excerpt from the book, Denise writes: "Revenge porn is talked about a lot these days, but it wasn't a widespread term back then."
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Now 47, Denise has shared that she was just 15 when she lost her virginity to an older man who filmed her without her knowledge or consent.
The man, who she refers to as 'Mike' in the book, was eventually questioned by police when it was discovered that he had done the same to dozens of other girls.
Eventually, when Denise got her hosting gig on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast, 'Mike' threatened to speak about their relationship and leak the video.
Although he wasn't sent to jail, the judge told 'Mike' he would be put behind bars if any of the content ever saw the light of day, according to Denise.
On her decision to finally speak out and share her story, Denise said: "We all do that when you have trauma, but I think it was important for me to revisit that as I do think it caused trust issues for my relationships going forwards.
“Recently I saw a case involving two reality stars where he had been accused of putting a video online without her consent, and I thought, 'I need to talk about my experiences now as well'.
“It is really important as young women and young guys, we need to be made aware.
"Those moments can completely change the course of someone’s life and their mental health.
"My experience had a massive impact on my life but I have only really spoken about it now because I want to use it to help other people."
Elsewhere in the book, Denise will discuss the highs and lows of her career in the spotlight, her high-profile romance with Jay Kay, her high-profile partying days, and her recent split from fiancé Eddie Boxshall.