Denise Welch has announced she is leaving Loose Women to focus on acting.
The 68-year-old has appeared on the ITV panel show on and off for 25 years, but said she wanted to follow “the most wonderful opportunities” she was being offered in acting.
Welch, who is the mother of The 1975 singer Matty Healy, said in a post on Instagram: “I’m leaving Loose Women after the best part of 25 years off and on.
“I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018, and this show has been part of mine and my family’s life for well nearly a quarter of a century.
“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.”
She added that she is entering a “new chapter of my life”.
Welch continued: “I just wanted… to thank all of the people who have shared my stories with me.
“I’ve shared my life with you, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m very Marmite, but I cherish all the comments, good or bad, that I’ve had over the years, and I just hope you wish me well for this new exciting chapter in my life.
“I’ll miss everybody, but I will remain friends with the whole gang because, despite what you might read, we are a happy band of campers. Anyway, lots of love and thanks for sticking with me.”
Fellow Loose Women panellists Katie Piper, GK Barry, Judi Love and Nadia Sawalha, the latter of whom recently threatened legal action against ITV claiming she was dropped from the show for her support of Palestine, were among those wishing Welch well.
Piper said: “No, gutted to be honest, Going to really miss sharing the panel with you.”
Barry added: “Denise I’m going to be so sad not to be on the panel with you anymore you always brought so much joy to my day, can’t wait to see you on our screens.”
Love posted: “I’m going to miss you but I’m beyond excited to see your new chapter because baby girl it’s here and we are loving it.”
While Sawalha added: “You are such a fantastic actress. Fly high lovely.”
In her acting career, Welch has appeared in shows such as Waterloo Road, Coronation Street, Benidorm and Hollyoaks.
She also appeared as a contestant on Dancing On Ice in 2011 and won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012.
