Showbiz
Mead admitted flirting with the TV presenter when she appeared as a judge on the hit BBC talent show, but both were involved with other people at the time.
However, he split with Kerry Stammers in October after three years and Van Outen broke up with Teachers actor James Lance in September.
A friend said: “There was a real spark on the show. They liked each other but neither was available.
“After they finished filming in June they lost touch for a while. But after Lee split up with his girlfriend he set his sights on Denise."
The source added: "He called her and asked her out for dinner. It went really well. It’s pretty serious considering it’s only been going on for four weeks.”
Mead is currently is starring in a West End production of Joseph And The Technicolour Dreamcoat while Van Outen is appearing in Rent.
> Digital Spy chats to Lee Mead: Click here for the interview
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