Denise Welch has revealed she spent last night in tears after reading the love and support following her announcement that she is leaving Loose Women. The actress and presenter, who has been part of the show for 25 years, shared her emotional reaction in a comment on her own Instagram post.
A 25-Year Journey on Loose Women
Welch first joined Loose Women as a panellist in 2001, becoming a central figure on the daytime show. After a seven-year break, she returned in 2018 and has now decided to bid farewell to focus on acting.
Her acting career includes roles as Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street (1997–2000), Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks (2021–2022), and a recurring part as Alison Slater in EastEnders. She also appeared as Steph Haydock in the original Waterloo Road and reprised the role in the newest series.
Announcement and Emotional Response
On Thursday, August 13, Welch announced her departure on Instagram, saying: “I’m leaving Loose Women after the best part of 25 years off and on. I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018, and this show has been part of mine and my family’s life for well nearly a quarter of a century.”
She added: “I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories, and it’s just that acting has always been my first love, and I think the thing I’m best at.” She described entering a “new chapter of my life” and thanked viewers, saying: “I just wanted… to thank all of the people who have shared my stories with me.”
After receiving support from co-stars and fans in the comments, Welch replied: “Spent last night in tears reading your lovely comments. Means a lot.”
Upcoming Acting Project
The announcement follows Welch finishing filming a new six-part series for Channel 5 called Forever Home, based on a Graham Norton novel. The story follows Carol Crottie, who finds a body in her basement and begins to suspect her husband could be a murderer.
Welch said at the time: “The north east will always be my Forever Home so to make a series there with this title was the perfect job for me. Filmed in beautiful Northumberland surrounded by Geordies was as good as it gets. Cast and crew, none of us wanted it to end.”
