Strictly Come Dancing's Denise Van Outen has claimed that Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans has damaged her chances of winning the BBC One show, by suggesting she has an advantage over the others. The actress, who has reached the top six of the show and is on course for a place in the final, said that she has been harshly judged by the public since Evans suggested that her experience of West End musicals would put her ahead of the competition. And she said she wanted the public to vote for her on her own merits, saying everybody taking part has had the same levels of experience. "Chris caused a little bit of damage. But if you look at the shows I have been in in the West End I haven't danced," Denise said."Whereas Kimberley Walsh has just finished Shrek and she danced in that. All the people left in the competition have some experience of dance. "My message to the public would be to judge me fairly on the night, in the way it should be judged, on the dancing, and be aware of how hard I've worked," she added. James, meanwhile, also defended his celebrity partner, saying: "I can assure you she is not a professional dancer because I'm the one who trains with her. The reason we put in so many hours is because we have to." Denise - who has so far avoided the dreaded dance-off despite rumours that she is not doing well in the public vote - remains one of the favourites to win the final on December 22.
