Every inch the leading lady! Denise van Outen displays her toned legs in a sweeping semi-sheer gown on press night of her one-woman stage show

By Nicola Agius for MailOnline

Published: 03:23 EST, 28 August 2014 | Updated: 07:11 EST, 28 August 2014

She was preparing to take to the stage for the first time in her very own one-woman show.

But if Denise van Outen was feeling nervous, the 40-year-old certainly wasn't showing any signs of it on Tuesday at the press night of her latest theatrical endeavour, Some Girl I Used to Know.

She arrived at the Arts Theatre in London looking stunning in a tight, little black lace dress.

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Confident: Denise van Outen didn't seem at all nervous before taking to the stage at the Arts Theatre in London to perform her one-woman show Some Girl I Used To Know

Confident: Denise van Outen didn't seem at all nervous before taking to the stage at the Arts Theatre in London to perform her one-woman show Some Girl I Used To Know

Usually, Denise jumps at the chance to show off her long, toned legs at red carpet dos.

However, with it being such an important occasion, she opted for a more elegant look and partially kept her pins under wraps with a semi-sheer sweeping skirt.

The Essex girl kept her outfit simple by dressing head to toe in black, from her nail varnish to her stilettos.

But she still stood out even with the lack of colour in her ensemble as it highlighted her golden tan and gorgeous blonde locks, which she wore in waves resting just below her shoulders.

Dressed to impress: The Essex star looked stunning when she arrived at the press night of her show 

Dressed to impress: The Essex star looked stunning when she arrived at the press night of her show 

Woman in black: Knowing the nation's press were all going to be watchign her, Denise kept it safe by opting for a LBD 

Woman in black: Knowing the nation's press were all going to be watchign her, Denise kept it safe by opting for a LBD 

Careful: The actress looked as though she was about to trip over her long dress

Careful: The actress looked as though she was about to trip over her long dress

Hour glass: With a figure like this, it's no wonder Denise opted to wear such a tight dress

 
Making time for the fans: Denise thanked a few male admirers for coming to watch her show by giving them a big hug

Making time for the fans: Denise thanked a few male admirers for coming to watch her show by giving them a big hug

Denise looked delighted when she arrived at theatre and saw that so many famous faces had turned up to support her.

Gok Wan, Pete Waterman, Rob Beckett and Amanda Byram had all ventured into London just to watch their pal perform.

After the show, the actress was seen giving each one a hug to thank them for taking the trouble to see her.

Cuddles: Denise was in such high spirits she appeared to be handing out hugs to her crew

Cuddles: Denise was in such high spirits she appeared to be handing out hugs to her crew

Has someone upset her? The star appeared to be giving someone a good telling off at one point

Has someone upset her? The star appeared to be giving someone a good telling off at one point

It's in the bag: Denise van Outen appeared as though she knew the press were going to give her one-woman performance rave reviews

It's in the bag: Denise van Outen appeared as though she knew the press were going to give her one-woman performance rave reviews

Finally, things seem to be looking up for Denise following her painful split from husband Lee Mead last year.

Professionally, Some Girl I Used to Know, which features songs from the 1980s and 1990s, kicked off in front of a capacity crowd on Friday.

The blonde star's personal life a lot better too as she's finally moved on from her ex Lee with her new boyfriend stockbroker Eddie Boxhall. 

Celebrity touch: A shot of famous faces came out to support the actress including  Amanda Byram [left] and Gok Wan [right]

Celebrity touch: A shot of famous faces came out to support the actress including  Amanda Byram [left] and Gok Wan [right]

Friends in high places: Rob Beckett [left] and Pete Waterman [right] both ventured into London to support Denise
Friends in high places: Rob Beckett [left] and Pete Waterman [right] both ventured into London to support Denise

Friends in high places: Rob Beckett [left] and Pete Waterman [right] both ventured into London to support Denise

The end: Judging by her huge smile, the blonde star was happy with her performance on Tuesday night

The end: Judging by her huge smile, the blonde star was happy with her performance on Tuesday night

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