Denise Van Outen has said she is glad she found fame before the rise of “scary” cancel culture.
She hit the big time fronting The Big Breakfast in the 90s alongside Johnny Vaughan.
But she admitted she would have been terrified if there had been social media and online trolls at the time.
Denise, 47, said: “We’ve all witnessed the celebrities, actors, politicians, and sportsmen and sportswomen who’ve voiced an opinion on their Facebook page or Twitter, misjudged or otherwise, and have then been publicly hung out to dry for it.
“One wrong move, and all of a sudden they’re the worst person in the world. Cancelled! Now that’s scary.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for Lionsgate)
“Back then, I tried to push those niggling thoughts to one side and just enjoy the ride.
“When all was said and done, I was doing what I’d always wanted to do, and I was having the time of my life doing it.”
In her new book A Bit Of Me, Denise said becoming a household name was a shock to the system.
(Image: Press Association)
She explained: “There was something that felt very different about all this. It wasn’t just a case of being in the spotlight or being on television; I’d done that for years and just viewed it as work.
“The nature of this kind of celebrity was fast and intense, and it didn’t feel like it was something we could control.
“The best part of it, I suppose, was the feeling that I was part of something successful and much loved, that I was doing what I did well and reaping the rewards.
(Image: Getty Images)
“The downside was the scrutiny Johnny and I were under all of a sudden. I knew that as many people there were wanting to celebrate our success on the show, there would be those who wanted to bring us down.
“I started to wonder who might come out of the woodwork with stories about me: disgruntled boyfriends or long-forgotten acquaintances with tales about my wild clubbing days.
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“I’d come to realise how much everything would have to change. I couldn’t be just me for me any more; now I belonged to everyone.
“Suddenly, I watched what I said and considered my actions, especially when I was out in a public place. I had concerns about saying or doing the wrong thing and being judged.
“It was hard then, but it’s even worse now, with all the various social media platforms.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
