A happy return for Denise Van Curvy

It is certainly a more forgiving pose and a more flattering choice of bikini. And a smile always helps to lift the appearance.

But Denise Van Outen's fabulous new beach body must also be a credit to sheer hard work.

A perfect ten: Denise Van Outen in the Malibu surf

Last May, the 33-year-old was pictured slumping over with tummy rolls, an oddly-tied swimsuit and her face hidden under a cap and glasses.

But earlier this week, she strode happily along the sands of Malibu with not a love-handle in sight.

The Basildon-born actress, who first shot to fame presenting Channel 4's Big Breakfast, showed off a toned and healthy size-ten frame.

While seemingly lighter than last year, she is far curvier than the size zero she slimmed down to when she first arrived in Los Angeles.

And that, according to Miss Van Outen, is just fine. 'I used to be a size zero but I looked awful,' she has said in the past. 'Being a normal size is fine.'

Wobbly start: Slumping by the pool in California last year

Denise Van Outen in April this year

The public seems to agree, as she recently topped a poll of 1,000 Grazia readers for the best bikini body, beating super-skinny actresses such as Keira Knightley and Mischa Barton.

Although content with her current trim shape, the star says she will consider cosmetic surgery once time - and hopeful motherhood - begins to take its toll on her body.

She told Red magazine recently: "I'm actually really lucky because I've got a bust and I've never felt the need to have a boob job before.

"But if I have children and they start to sag then yes, I will most probably have something done."

"The thought of having massive surgery scares me quite a lot. Also I don't like it when women all start looking the same."

After returning from her holiday this week, she watched Lee Mead make his debut in Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre in London on Tuesday.

She had helped choose him for the lead part as a judge on the TV series Any Dream Will Do.

Her return to form is timely, as she is expected to bare all for a leading role in an upcoming BBC adaptation of The Emperor's New Clothes, renamed The Empress's New Clothes.