Denise Welch has exclusively told The Mirror about her plans for ITV’s Loose Women
Denise Welch has confirmed she’s not leaving the Loose Women panel anytime soon, sharing her love for the show and her co-stars. The 66-year-old actress, who previously took a break from the programme, now finds it a perfect fit for her life.
“I love being on the show,” Denise told the Mirror in an exclusive interview. “I did have a break for a few years, but I love it right now. It fits into my lifestyle really well, and I’ve no plans of leaving.
“I love catching up with the girls, and we all support each other. Believe you me, If I didn’t get on with everybody then I wouldn’t be doing it, I’m at an age now where I don’t need to.”
Denise, known for her roles in Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road, joined the Loose Women team in 2005. She left after eight years but returned five years later.
Talking at the Royal Television Society awards, she continued: “I’ve been sharing my stories for over two decades now, and I always believe that you have a responsibility on the show to share your opinion if you’ve got one. We’ve all gone through different things, and we all support each other.
“I’m 67 this year, and It’s the only show on television, I believe, that truly celebrates women and ageing.” Laughing, she then added: “I’m quite gobby. My opinions aren’t going to change!”
Denise’s thoughts come just a month after she was struck down with acute peritonitis, a serious infection of the stomach’s inner lining. Although several factors can affect this, Denise previously explained that she had a perforated diverticulum, a tear in the bowel wall.
“I got back from a lovely holiday in the Caribbean last Saturday,” she explained on Loose Women last month. “All bronze, looking forward to coming on here last week and showing off my sun tan and ‘I’m back’ and all this.
“And I got rushed into hospital on the Saturday with acute peritonitis – a perforated diverticulitis…So, I’ve been in hospital on a drip for a b***** week! Excuse me.
“Anyway, they didn’t have to do surgery, they got it with antibiotics, thank you… As my mother said, ‘Take me to the knacker’s yard’.”
Common signs of peritonitis include continuous abdominal pain, high fever, accelerated heartbeat, and changes in urination habits. Loss of appetite, nausea, and a bloated abdomen are other symptoms some individuals may experience.
Anyone displaying these symptoms should get immediate medical help, as delaying treatment can lead to serious complications, like sepsis if the infection spreads.
Fortunately, Denise has maintained her sense of humour through the ordeal, jokingly saying on the show: “I’m eating and believe you me, what’s going on down there, I’m a loose woman – believe me.”