Denise's father, an electrician who later became a fisheries expert, played a significant role in her life. Her mother, on the other hand, was pregnant for a remarkable nine and a half years, resulting in Denise being the seventh of twelve children. Her younger sister, Kelly, who is seven years her junior, also pursued a career in acting.
Denise's educational journey was marked by a lack of theatrical aspirations during her school days. She left school at the age of fifteen and moved to London a year later to follow a boy. After several years of working in menial jobs, she took a Saturday acting class, which ultimately led to her securing a place at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in Wandsworth.
To fund her audition fee, Denise had to borrow the necessary amount. She graduated from the academy in 2003 and made her television debut in Casualty the following year. Since then, she has appeared in numerous popular television series, including New Tricks and Stella.
However, Denise has gained more recognition as a stage actress, earning a nomination from the Evening Standard Awards in 2012 for her roles in 'Our New Girl' and 'Desire Under the Elms'. Her outstanding performance in 'People, Places and Things' at the National Theatre in 2015 received universal acclaim, with many praising her portrayal of a recovering drug addict.
