Denise Welch is leaving ITV's Loose Women after nearly 25 years to focus on her acting career, which she describes as her 'first love'. The former Soldier, Soldier and Coronation Street star shared the news on her Instagram stories, telling fans: "I am leaving Loose Women after 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 almost a quarter of a century. I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories."
Acting opportunities
Welch has been in high demand recently, winning acclaim for her return to the BBC drama Waterloo Road, and her performances in Channel 4's Tip Toe and Channel 5's new drama series Murder in Benidorm. Explaining her decision, she said: "It's just that acting has always been my first love, and I think the thing I'm best at. And at the moment, I'm having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way, and I'm grabbing them by the by the you know what's and running with it for this new chapter of my life. So I just wanted to say that in person to thank all of the people who have shared my stories with me."
Show's response
A spokesperson for Loose Women told Express.co.uk: "Denise has been such a brilliant part of the Loose Women family and we are going to miss her hugely on the show. We are sending her all of our love and best wishes for her next chapter."
Career timeline and upcoming projects
Welch first appeared on the show as a guest panellist in 2002 before officially joining the panel as a regular, full-time member in 2005. She quit in 2013, stating on Twitter she preferred to move forward rather than "turn back time." However, she returned in 2018 and has been a regular fixture ever since. As she prepares to depart again, she has three upcoming projects yet to hit screens: she will appear in two episodes of the Channel 4 comedy Stepping Up, guest in one episode of the drama Forever Home, and star in the short film Sarnies, which is currently in post-production.
