Denise Welch was recently photographed enjoying a dinner with friends at the upscale Shanghai Me restaurant in Mayfair, days after announcing her departure from the ITV program "Loose Women."
Welch, who had been with the show for 26 years, announced her decision to step down to pursue acting opportunities. She stated that she had been offered a number of roles and wished to focus on her primary passion. Her last appearance on "Loose Women" 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 an Instagram video detailing her exit. "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."
Welch first joined "Loose Women" in 2000 and became a prominent figure on the panel. She took a seven-year break before returning in 2018. A spokesperson for "Loose Women" expressed their regret at her departure, stating, "Denise has been such a brilliant part of the Loose Women family and we are going to miss her hugely on the show. We are sending her all of our love and best wishes for her next chapter."
In recent years, Welch has appeared in the Channel 4 drama "Tip Toe" and is slated to feature in an adaptation of Graham Norton's novel "Forever Home."
Her tenure on "Loose Women" was marked by candid discussions and occasional controversies, with her outspoken opinions sometimes dividing viewers. She notably commented on her son Matty's ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift during an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live," and has had public disagreements with some co-stars. However, former co-panelist Carol McGiffin showed support for Welch's decision, commenting on her exit announcement, "Baaaabes, can't believe you stuck it out for so long! Upwards and upwards it is then."