Essex girl Denise Van Outen has been ordered to take elocution lessons by the US bosses of her latest television venture - because they believe audiences won't like her Basildon twang.

The 32-year-old former Big Breakfast presenter was signed up to be the main host of Grease - a reality show which is aiming to find a new cast to play the characters from the hit Seventies movie.

However, while Americans are generally huge fans of Brits, they appear not to have warmed to Denise because they don't understand her accent - or indeed, her sense of humour.

Producers of the show, who have signed Denise for a two-year stint, are desperate for her to appeal to audiences and have sent her off for lessons in the hope that she will begin to become more popular with viewers.

Denise was dealt a further blow when she was told that instead of being the main presenter, she will be the roving reporter behind the scenes - a role similar to that of Ben Shepherd on the X Factor.

We're told: "The producers thought Denise would be immensely popular with the American public, but unfortunately, it hasn't worked out.

"She is a very attractive girl and has years and years of television experience. That, along with her English accent, meant that she should have been a hit in the States ... but they aren't keen on her voice.

"She has made her career over here on the fact she is a down-to-earth Essex girl, but they just don't get it in America.

"They are not keen on her demeanour either." Denise crossed the Pond last year to launch a career in Los Angeles.

However, Johnny Vaughan's former Channel 4 sidekick has also kept her hand in over here.

She is about to start work as a judge on BBC1's new reality show, Joseph, which kicks off later this week.

Denise has been trying to emulate the success of a number of other recent British exports to the States.

Cat Deeley has been a hit with TV audiences fronting American Idol, while Extras star Ashley Jensen is now a regular - if peripheral - character on popular TV series Ugly Betty.

But Jensen did not have too many comforting words for Denise, describing LA as a "really unforgiving place".

She added: "I will not lie - it has been hard. I went out there on my own. I felt really, really out of place. I didn't know anyone. I didn't understand the city."