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Denise Van Outen says she’d get her ‘nepo baby’ daughter Betsy, 14, her dream job in showbusiness ‘if she wanted to’

Denise Van Outen has revealed she ‘definitely’ suffers from ‘mum guilt’ when parenting her 14-year-old daughter Betsy.

Talking exclusively to Femail, the 50-year-old DJ and television presenter from Essex said: ‘I think most working parents find it difficult to find a balance. 

‘It’s now easier as Betsy is older and understands my job more and the commitments that come with it.’

Career prospects are currently a hot topic in her household, with Denise currently starting the process of guiding Besty as she starts to think about her future occupation.

It’s a role that Denise is determined not to feel any ‘mum guilt’ over, with her already guiding Betsy on her future options, even if she doesn’t want to pursue a job on the showbussiness circuit.

‘After a lengthy discussion I’ve realised that Betsy may not want to follow after me in the showbiz route so it’s been good to start talking about this early,’ the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant said.

She added: ‘Betsy isn’t sure what she wants to do yet but we have started to talk about the amazing jobs behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.’ 

Denise added: ‘Should she want to I would want to get Betsy work experience initially so she can really get the taste of what it’s like.’

Denise revealed that her goal for the next couple of years is to land Betsy a job she thrives in, saying: ‘I would love to see Betsy find a job that she absolutely loves and wakes up in the morning feeling happy. I am so grateful to have a job where I get that feeling.’

The mother-of-one, who shares Betsy with ex-husband Lee Mead, opened up on the topic in relation to her Talking Futures campaign, which aims to offer resources to help parents guide their children’s career paths.

Essex-born DJ and television presenter Denise Van Outen (pictured) admitted to experiencing ‘mum guilt’

The mother-of-one has started talking to 14-year-old Betsy (pictured) about her future career options

The mother-of-one has started talking to 14-year-old Betsy (pictured) about her future career options

‘Talking Futures has been so great because it’s allowed us to open up a conversation and gives Betsy the information she needs to make her own decisions’, Denise said.

Despite offering her insight into her glamorous job, Denise has tried to keep Betsy’s life private, saying: ‘I am protective of Betsy and don’t like to share too much content of her online, I like to give her privacy and the option to lead a ”normal” life.’

Talking Futures found 58 per cent of parents admit that they don’t fully understand the range of qualifications available to their child, while 29 per cent of parents believe university degrees are the only way for their teens to be successful. 

The new research, carried out with over 2,000 parents of 11–18-year-olds across England, also found that 70 per cent feel overwhelmed by the difference in course and qualifications available today compared to when they were the same age.

To address the knowledge gap, Denise has partnered with Talking Futures to create a resource guiding parents on how they can help their teenage children on their future education and career options.

In the new campaign, Denise filmed a campaign explaining to parents how schooling has changed since the ’90s, and why the older generations should avoid using their outdated experiences when it comes to advising their teens.

Talking about the campaign, Denise said: ‘I’ve been having lots of conversations recently with my daughter, who is 14, about what she might like to do in the future and the best routes to getting there. And I have to admit, it can feel really overwhelming in knowing how to guide her.

‘From my experience when I was at school, it didn’t seem like there were as many pathways – it was quite linear and you just sort of ‘fell into’ a career, without taking the time to think about the full range of options available.

Denise went back to school in a new Talking Futures film that helps parents navigate education options for teens (pictured)

Denise went back to school in a new Talking Futures film that helps parents navigate education options for teens (pictured)

The DJ and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant said she hopes to land Betsy her dream job

The DJ and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant said she hopes to land Betsy her dream job

‘There are great quality options available to kids today; it’s just a case of knowing how best to help your kids to navigate what’s right for them. 

‘So, it’s brilliant that there are resources available like Talking Futures to help guide parents, and it felt like a perfect fit for me to collaborate on this campaign.

‘I think it’s something most parents like me are going through – in fact, this kind of talk is rife right now on the parents’ WhatsApp group at my daughter’s school. I’ll definitely be sharing these resources and the guidance on there.’

Michelle Rea, spokesperson for Talking Futures said: ‘Denise does a brilliant job in this short film of demonstrating the importance of parents not letting their own experiences of school have a negative impact on how they support their child’s education decisions.

‘Today’s new research shines a light on that feeling of overwhelm some parents can have as they get to grips with the education options open to their teens. 

‘Yes, some things are different from when we were at school, but there is information out there to help – parents just need to know where to look.

‘The Talking Futures site has lots of resources and support that we hope will build parents’ confidence in having education and career conversations with their kids by getting them up to speed on what options are available today.’

It comes after Denise Van Outen revealed she’s never felt sexier since turning 50 and signing up to celebrity dating app Raya.

The mother-of-one said that if Betsy wants to pursue a career in showbussiness, she wants to get her work experience first

The mother-of-one said that if Betsy wants to pursue a career in showbussiness, she wants to get her work experience first

The broadcaster lifted the lid on her love life following her split from property developer Jimmy Barba, 55, in November after 18-months together.    

She told journalist Rob McGibbon for his website that despite ‘anyone who has ever read a newspaper will know about my love life’ she is enjoying the freedom of being single.

Denise, who also had a very public split from cheating Eddie Boxshall, admitted that she’d had her ‘fingers burnt a few times’ during past relationships. 

Saying: ‘The thing is with me, I’ve always put everything into a relationship. I make the person I’m with the main focus – but I forget about me. I’ve had some relationships where I haven’t been able to fully be myself’. 

She continued: ‘A lot of women will relate to that. But I feel differently about it all now. I am older and wiser and because I have had my fingers burnt a few times, I now know what I don’t want’.

Denise then went on to discuss signing up to celebrity dating app Raya who’s other past users are reported to include Harry Styles, Cara Delevingne and Channing Tatum.

She said: ‘I’ve always thought that a dating app would never be for me, but I joined Raya a few months ago. It’s known as ‘the industry’ dating app and is for celebrities and people in the media.

‘I’m on there as myself and it has been fun. I’ve been going on dinner dates lately and I’ve met some really lovely guys. Some haven’t felt like a romantic connection, but I’ve made some friends, so I’m enjoying it.

Denise went on to say: ‘I’m in a nice situation because I’m not in a hurry to find someone, so I don’t feel any pressure and it’s not as if I’m not looking to start a family, so the man doesn’t feel any pressure either’.

‘Turning 50 feels like a very exciting new chapter in my life. I actually feel the sexist I’ve ever felt. I think with age, you don’t worry so much about what people think, you are more assured of who you are. And you know what you want’.

‘It feels liberating to be single as a 50-year-old woman – totally liberating. I’m allowing myself to just go on dates and enjoy them for what they are. There was a time when I felt like I couldn’t really do that. I don’t feel pressured to rush into anything. When the time’s right, then I will be ready to meet ‘Mr. Right’.

Before adding: ‘Until that happens, I’m just going to sit back and go with the flow. I’m not gonna force anything. I feel like I can make the right choices now. This is the new me – single and ready for fun.’

Parents and carers can watch the film on YouTube, Facebook and the Talking Futures website, as well accessing free resources by visiting:

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