Denise Van Outen put on a brave face as she attended the 2026 Women’s Football Awards on Thursday night, hours after Jake Hall’s tragic death.
The DJ, 51, said she is ‘heartbreaking’ for the TOWIE family after it was announced the television personality had tragically died in Spain aged 35 after suffering head wounds.
Denise, who has voiced The Only Way Is Essex since it started in 2010, flashed a smile as she hit the red carpet at the star-studded bash.
She looked incredible in a white and pink floral dress for the evening, which featured a corset top and maxi skirt.
Denise stunned in the number which she accessorised by layering a number of pearl necklaces.
Speaking at the Women’s Football Awards, sponsored by SHEIN, Denise told the Daily Mail: ‘I’ve worked on the show since it started and with any loss within our TOWIE family it is heartbreaking.
‘But he was so lovely whenever I saw him out and he was so friendly and so talented.
‘I really feel for his family, my thoughts go out to them, and it is just really sad and he was way too young to go.
‘I do wonder what TOWIE will do, I think they’ll do a tribute as they’ve lost a few people recently. I was just really really shocked when I saw it.’
Denise Van Outen put on a brave face as she attended the Women’s Football Awards on Thursday night hours after Jake Hall’s tragic death
Gabby Logan looked sensational in the sleeveless satin number which boasted a wrap detailing and cinch at the waist
Carol Vorderman showed off her slimmed-down figure in a stylish black zip front blouse which she tucked into a matching maxi skirt
She was joined at the bash by presenter Gabby Logan and Carol Vorderman.
Gabby looked sensational in the sleeveless satin number which boasted a wrap detailing and cinch at the waist.
She elevated her frame in a pair of black strappy heels and accessorised with a pair of bold silver drop earrings.
Meanwhile Carol showed off her slimmed-down figure in a stylish black zip front blouse which she tucked into a matching maxi skirt.
The Countdown star cinched in her waist with a chunky black belt and added inches to her frame in a pair of eye catching leopard print heels.
Styling her long brunette tresses in waves, Carol wore a glamorous palette of makeup and opted for a pair of hoop earrings.
During the night, Carol took to the stage to share some inspirational words to the nominee and admitted she was ‘starstruck’ looking out at the crowd as she thanked the athletes for ‘transforming women’s football’.
‘To all tonight’s nominees, congratulations you are the very best’, she said. ‘Warrior women one and all and doing it on your terms without apology.
‘I know I will cry tonight with the joy you goddesses give so much, please keep us all smiling as the years go on. Thank you.’
Elsewhere Love Island star Gabby Allen showed off her amazing figure in a strapless lace back corset which she paired with coordinated trousers.
The TV personality rocked an edgy silver necklace and elevated her frame in a pair of silver platform heels as she posed on the red carpet.
Jamie Carragher cut a dapper figure in an all black tuxedo as he posed with Gabby at the bash.
Elsewhere on the red carpet, Denise told Daily Mail: ‘I’ve always watched women’s football. I think we all got into it with the success of the Lionesses.
‘My mum really enjoys it, more than watching the men play, so it is always on in our house. They really do give the men a run for their money.
‘And this is such a brilliant event, and I wanted to be part of it and support it because I’ve got a 16-year-old daughter, and I love the influence the Lionesses have had on young women, because my daughter never thought about playing football, and when she had the options for after school, she chose football, and that’s what I love.
‘I just think, look what you have done for all these kids that would never have thought about kicking a football around.’
Discussing how she stays fit, Denise added: ‘I’m really active. I’ve got a PT that I work with. I’m not a gym person; I have to be outside. So we power walk and do weights.
‘Also, I DJ, so quite often I’m on my feet dancing for a few hours playing music.
‘I do intermittent fasting, which I never used to do. When I was a kid, I never used to want to eat breakfast, and I always felt that I was told to eat breakfast before school, but I would never wake up hungry. I get hungry late morning, so I’ve just gone back to doing what I did when I was younger, and I feel it gives me more energy.’
The DJ, 51, said she is ‘heartbreaking’ for the TOWIE family after i t was announced the television personality had tragically died in Spain aged 35 after suffering head wounds
Denise flashed a smile as she hit the red carpet at the star-studded bash in a white and pink floral corset gown
The presenter, 53, looked sensational in the sleeveless satin number and black heels as she posed with Jamie Carragher
The Countdown star cinched in her waist with a chunky black belt and added inches to her frame in a pair of eye catching leopard print heels
Elsewhere Love Island star Gabby Allen showed off her amazing figure in a strapless lace back corset which she paired with coordinated trousers
Gabby styled her bobbed blonde locks loose as she posed for photos
Police found the former reality show contestant Jake lying in a pool of blood with fatal head wounds, seemingly caused by shards of glass.
Spanish police are focusing on the theory he hit his head on the door in a tragic accident.
Police were called to the rented property at 7.30am on Wednesday morning and have interviewed four men and two women staying at the house.
They are said to have told officers they were out in the evening and carried on partying after returning to the house in the early hours.
There have been no arrests and an autopsy will take place in the Majorcan capital Palma.
Spain’s Civil Guard is leading the investigation. It has not released the nationalities of the other people in the villa.
The Foreign Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.’
Jake, a model and footballer, who had his own fashion brand, leaves behind the mother of his child, Misse Beqiri.
The couple had an on-off relationship from 2016 and their daughter, River, was born in November 2017.
They got engaged in May 2018 before Jake was handed a restraining order after neighbours overheard a row at their home.
At the time, the star’s representatives insisted there had been no violence on his part.
On Thursday, Misse released a statement via representatives to Tyla: ‘At this time, Misse’s focus is on supporting and protecting their child as they come to terms with this devastating loss…
‘The family ask for privacy, compassion and respect while they grieve privately’.
Meanwhile, TOWIE star Vas J Morgan paid tribute on Instagram. He wrote: ’35 years old is far too young. Jake had so much more life to live. This is an incredible loss and my heart is breaking for his baby girl River, his parents, his brother Sonny and the rest of the family.
‘The friendship most of you saw between Jake and I on TOWIE was just a snippet of what we had been through together. Jake and I supported each other through many lows and celebrated every achievement side by side. From the moment I met him, we had a bond not many people could understand. It felt like reconnecting with a long lost brother.
‘He was so talented. I truly don’t think the world had even seen half of what his mind was capable of.
‘I’m so sorry. Sending love to everybody who needs it today. This is a deeply difficult loss. I just wish we had more time. RIP Jake Hall.’
Gok Wan looked stylish in an all black ensemble
I’m A Celebrity star Shona McGarty wowed in a figure hugging strapless midi dress
Former Everton and Manchester City star Toni Duggan turned heads in a mesh fishtail dress from SHEIN
Former Lioness and broadcaster Lianne Sanderson looked stylish in an embellished SHEIN blazer and trouser co-ord
Bethany England turned heads in a brown satin plunging gown which she paired with a suede clutch and stilettos
Millie Bright flashed a huge smile as she posed on the red carpet
Shortly before Jake’s death, former TOWIE star Jordan Wright was found dead after drowning in a drainage canal in Thalang District, Phuket on March 14.
His body was repatriated to his native Essex and a post-mortem examination was carried out at Basildon Hospital. An inquest into his death was opened earlier last month and has been adjourned until September 14.
Jordan, who starred in eight episodes of MTV’s Ex On The Beach in 2017 and 17 episodes of TOWIE the following year, was also seen acting erratically in haunting footage shortly before his death.
CCTV showed him looking over his shoulder as he sprinted back to his hotel on the island of Phuket shortly before midnight on March 12.
Police said the circumstances leading up to his death are ‘unclear’ and it is possible ‘other people were involved’.
