Denise Welch, the 65-year-old actress and television personality, has spoken candidly about her battles with alcohol and cocaine addiction, clinical depression, and her 11 years of sobriety. In a recent interview, she reflected on her past behaviour and the impact it had on those around her, saying she is 'sorry to the people that I hurt'.
Welch, who is currently starring in Jim Cartwright's play The Gap in Manchester, described her addiction as a 'horrendous illness' and said she has learned to forgive herself. She recalled a low point in 1999 before performing on Stars in Their Eyes, when she was 'crawling around and banging my head on the floor' in the dressing room.
The Loose Women panellist, who has been sober for 11 years, said she is now an 'ex-party animal' and happiest at home with her husband watching true crime. She also discussed her son Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, and his song She Lays Down about her postnatal depression, which she said 'makes me cry'.
Welch has written three memoirs, the most recent of which, The Unwelcome Visitor, details her depression. She described depression as a 'monster in my mind' and said sobriety has helped keep it at bay.
