Denise Welch is leaving the ITV panel show Loose Women after a 25-year tenure, citing a desire to concentrate on her acting career. The 68-year-old star, who first joined the program in 2000 and returned in 2018, announced her departure in an Instagram video.
Welch stated that she has been offered a number of acting roles recently and wishes to dedicate her time to these new projects, which she described as her "first love." Her final appearance on the show was on June 29.
"This show has been a part of me and my family's life for nearly a quarter of a century," Welch said in her announcement. "I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories and 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."
She expressed gratitude to her fellow panelists, calling them a "happy band of campers" and stating she would remain friends with them. A spokesperson for Loose Women confirmed Welch's departure, saying the show would "miss her hugely" and wished her well.
Welch's acting credits include the Channel 4 drama Tip Toe and an upcoming adaptation of Graham Norton's novel Forever Home. She is also known for her role on Coronation Street.
Throughout her time on Loose Women, Welch has been a prominent voice, known for her candid opinions on various topics. Her commentary has occasionally sparked debate, including remarks on COVID-19 restrictions, public figures like Matt Hancock, and members of the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Welch's tenure also saw on-air discussions with fellow panelists such as Kaye Adams, Gloria Hunniford, and Stacey Solomon, covering diverse subjects from working from home policies to pandemic-era restrictions. She also made comments regarding her former daughter-in-law, Taylor Swift. These instances, while sometimes contentious, were part of her distinctive presence on the program. The actress has been open about her and her husband Lincoln Townley's journey with sobriety.