Basildon born TV presenter turned West End star Denise Van Outen is taking time out from Strictly Come Dancing following the death of her grandad.


The 38 year-old has missed training sessions and was forced to pull out of publicity commitments for the show after Steven Matthews, 89, who still lived in the town, died last week.


He is understood to have been ill for some time and the blonde star visited him in Basildon Hospital just days before he passed away.


A date for Mr Steven’s funeral has not yet been set but BBC bosses are believed to have told Denise to take as much time out as she needs before the new series of the show hits our screens on Friday.