Former Loose Women panellist Denise Welch has sparked controversy with a blistering critique of Taylor Swift's devoted fanbase, labelling them 'toxic' in an explosive social media tirade.
The 65-year-old actress and television personality didn't hold back when responding to Swift's fans - known as 'Swifties' - after they allegedly targeted her son Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, during his brief romance with the pop superstar last year.
'The Most Toxic Fanbase'
Welch took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent her frustrations, writing: 'Taylor Swift has some of the best songs of all time but my god, the most toxic fanbase. They're currently attacking a 19-year-old girl on TikTok. Just vile.'
The outspoken star doubled down on her criticism in subsequent posts, adding: 'I'm entitled to my opinion. The Swifties are proving my point.'
Swifties Fire Back
Unsurprisingly, Swift's legion of fans quickly mobilised to defend their idol, flooding Welch's social media with counter-arguments and memes. Some accused her of hypocrisy, pointing to her own history of online spats.
The heated exchange comes months after Welch's son Matty faced intense scrutiny during his short-lived relationship with Swift. The musician was subjected to online abuse over controversial comments he'd made in the past, with some Swift fans calling for the couple to split.
A History of Celebrity Feuds
This isn't Welch's first brush with celebrity controversy. The actress has never shied away from speaking her mind, previously locking horns with everyone from Piers Morgan to various reality TV stars.
Meanwhile, Swift continues her record-breaking Eras Tour, which has become a cultural phenomenon. The singer recently made headlines by announcing her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, during the Grammy Awards ceremony.
