Denise Van Outen admits flashing Prince Charles after ‘stealing’ from Buckingham Palace | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Denise Van Outen, 47, became a household name as the presenter of Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast. Her celebrity status was cemented when she was invited to Buckingham Palace in 1998 as part of a group of young achievers in media and entertainment.

Upon receiving her invitation, her Big Breakfast co-star, Johnny Vaughan, thought she was bluffing and told her to steal a souvenir to prove it.

The presenter reveals that she stole an ashtray and a toilet roll cover in her new book, A Bit Of Me: From Basildon to Broadway and Back.

Wrapped up in excitement, Denise left with the items but it didn’t take long before she was caught out.

She detailed the stunt on The Big Breakfast and was forced to apologise.

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Denise also posted the stolen goods back to the Palace with a note saying: “I am really sorry, it was just a bit of fun,” as reported by The Mirror.

In a bid to make sure there was no ill-will with the monarch, Denise took it a step further and sent the Queen an apology gift consisting of a stuffed toy camel she bought in Tunisia with the message: “Sorry, Ma’am. I didn’t mean to give you the hump.”

Speaking at the time, a spokesman for the Palace fumed: “The vast majority of guests don’t take anything away as a souvenir.

“We get nearly 50,000 visitors a year and if they all took souvenirs there wouldn’t be much left.

“I called out to him, then pulled up my top and flashed my bra.

“I’m not sure what came over me, and it certainly wasn’t premeditated.

“If it had been, I’d have worn one of my posh bras, rather than the Marks & Spencer nude one my mum had got me.”

In an interview about the incident at the time, Denise joked: “If in doubt whack ’em out, even in front of royalty. That’s what I say,

“He looked at me but didn’t acknowledge me even though he got a real eyeful.

“I stood there for about a minute. It was just a bit of naughtiness and I hope no one was offended,” as reported by Entertainment Daily.

Denise Van Outen’s new book, A Bit of Me: From Basildon to Broadway and Back, is available to buy now. The book is published by Ebury Spotlight and is priced on Amazon at £16. You can buy the book here.