Van Outen upset at being shunned from TV show

Denise Van Outen is "disappointed" she was shunned from 'Over the Rainbow' because she's pregnant.

The TV star has spoken out about her belief she lost out on a job judging Andrew Lloyd Webber's upcoming singing competition just because she is expecting a baby.

Her rant comes shortly after the BBC announced the panel on the upcoming show will consist of singer Charlotte Church, 'EastEnders' actor John Partridge and musical theatre legend Sheila Hancock.

She told the Daily Mail newspaper: "There were people there at the BBC who mentioned things to me about my pregnancy.

"I feel disappointed and let down. Being pregnant is not an issue for me, I feel fit and healthy. I am absolutely happy to carry on working. I am here today at the Bumps and Babies Mile today which shows I feel fine."

Denise took part in charity walk Bumps and Babies Mile yesterday, to help raise money for Sports Relief.

The BBC has denied Denise's pregnancy has anything to do with her not being chosen for the line-up - even though she worked on their previous search for a musical theatre star, with the show 'Any Dream Will Do'.

During the series, she fell in love with the competition's winner Lee Mead - who she wed April 2009.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: "'Over the Rainbow' is a brand new show for BBC1 with a completely new line-up of judges.

"As a result, neither Denise Van Outen nor John Barrowman nor any of the other five previous judges will be taking part on the panel."