Television personality Denise Welch has revealed a shocking incident from her past where she dramatically walked off set after a director made what she describes as deeply patronising comments towards her.
The Incident That Sparked the Walkout
The Loose Women panellist, now 67, shared this revealing story during an appearance on ITV's Loose Women Just Between Us podcast with GK Barry. Welch admitted that throughout her entire career, she has only stormed off set twice, making this particular incident especially memorable.
According to Welch, the confrontation occurred approximately 30 years ago during the filming of a television show. The scene involved complex technical elements including sugar glass that needed to fall at precisely the right moment. The cast and crew had already rehearsed the sequence around 20 times to ensure everything would work perfectly when the cameras started rolling.
The Patronising Comment That Crossed the Line
"We had rehearsed for the cameras about 20 times," Welch recalled. "It was a tricky shot. Sugar glass had to fall, something had to come out of it. I will rehearse till the cows come home, rehearse, rehearse, then they said, 'Okay, turn over.'"
Feeling they needed one final run-through, Welch politely asked: "Oh, hang on a minute. Excuse me. Could we just have one rehearsal for the actors?"
The director's response immediately infuriated her. He told her: "It's okay. Don't you worry your pretty little head about that. We won't make you look bad."
Standing Her Ground and Demanding Respect
Welch explained that she found the comment completely unacceptable and decided to take immediate action. "And I just said, 'Okay, I'm just going to take my pretty little head to my dressing room until you come and apologise to me,'" she told the podcast.
The television star emphasised the difference between harmless banter and genuine patronising behaviour. "That patronising is very different to having a little bit of banter. Do you know what I mean?" she questioned.
News of her walkout spread quickly among the crew, with many surprised because Welch isn't known for diva behaviour. Despite the drama, she has never regretted her decision to stand up for herself.
"I never regretted it," Welch stated. "And I think because, when you are well behaved, you do toe the line, you're not remotely diva-ish, it does have more of an effect when something like that happens."
When asked if the director eventually apologised, Welch confirmed that he did, though she described the apology as somewhat half-hearted. However, she noted that the important people had witnessed the exchange on monitors and understood exactly what had transpired.
The discussion about workplace respect emerged while Welch and Barry were answering a fan's dilemma about handling a difficult boss without HR support. Welch recommended the listener seek advice from Citizens Advice.
The revelation comes during a period of change for ITV's daytime programming. The broadcaster recently announced that Loose Women will be reduced from 52 weeks to just 30 weeks per year as part of cost-cutting measures.
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV's Media and Entertainment Division, explained the decision in a statement: "Daytime is a really important part of what we do. These scheduling and production changes will enable us to continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust."
