Denise Van Outen’s friends wouldn’t be surprised if she got engaged to Jimmy Barba

Denise Van Outen’s friends think there could be wedding bells for the actress in the coming year.

The TV presenter, 48, has found love again with Jimmy Barba, 55, following her split from Eddie Boxshall.

And her friends certainly think he’s the one, as they think that he’ll pop the question to Denise next year.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Nobody who knows Denise and Jimmy would be the least bit surprised if they got engaged next year.

‘She’s been friends with him for a long, long time – but it’s developed into something really special.’

It comes as the star is look forward to spending her ‘perfect Christmas’ with Jimmy, his three-year-old daughter and her daughter Betsy, 12. 

The insider said: ‘It’s the first Christmas Denise and Jimmy have celebrated since they started going out and they will be hoping to spend it together.

New love: The TV presenter, 48, has found love again with Jimmy Barba, 55, following her split from Eddie Boxshall

‘Jimmy gets on amazingly well with Betsy and Denise adores Jimmy’s little girl so they want to make it a really special Christmas for the kids.

‘Denise is the happiest she has been in a long, long time and Jimmy is a massive part of that. She can’t wait to enjoy what she thinks will be a perfect Christmas and to see in the New Year with Jimmy.’

Denise first went public with Jimmy at the Grand Prix Ball in June, after her bitter split with her fiancé and Celebrity Gogglebox co-star Eddie Boxhall. 

She explained how she didn’t want to go public until the relationship was ‘solid’ so instead the couple would stay in and chat for hours.

Wedding bells: And her friends certainly think he’s the one, as they think that he’ll pop the question to Denise next year

Denise had dumped Eddie after discovering he had been having phone sex and dates with other women.

They had been in a relationship for seven years and were planning to tie the knot this year prior to their shock split.

In the wake of her break-up with Eddie, Denise told Radio 2 listeners: ‘The one thing I’m really proud of myself for is I do know when to walk away and I don’t like to be taken advantage of.

‘Sometimes it’s been to the detriment of my own career or in my own relationships, but I just feel like it’s really important as a woman to have self-worth and self-respect.’

Festive plans: It comes as the star is look forward to spending her ‘perfect Christmas’ with Jimmy, his three-year-old daughter and her daughter Betsy, 12

The news the couple could tie the knot next week, comes after Denise told how ‘lovely’ her new man was.

She explained that he is a pal of her close friend, Blue star Duncan James, and – although now a property developer – he used to work as a professional dancer.

‘He’s been in the business before and Duncan’s friends all know him,’ Denise said at the TV Choice Awards.

‘He used to be a dancer. I feel like I’m in good hands at the moment. He’s a nice guy. I’m pleased that he has a little daughter. She’s only three, so we get to do all the Christmas magic like Elf On The Shelf.’

Mail Online understands that Denise could also be set to invite Jimmy to appear alongside her on Celebrity Gogglebox, instead of Duncan,

The source said: ‘Denise and Jimmy have some of their best nights just by staying in and watching the box.

‘And he’s always cracking jokes and comments about programmes so would be well suited to Gogglebox.’

Exes: Denise first went public with Jimmy at the Grand Prix Ball in June, after her bitter split with her fiancé and Celebrity Gogglebox co-star Eddie Boxhall (pictured in 2020)