Denise Welch, aged 68, announced that she will be departing the ITV daytime panel show Loose Women after more than 25 years of intermittent appearances. In a post on Instagram, Welch explained that acting has always been her first love and that she wishes to "follow the most wonderful opportunities" now being offered to her.
The decision will be felt by audiences in the United Kingdom and abroad; the programme is carried on certain Canadian cable packages and is also streamed on platforms popular with North American viewers. In the United States, comparable daytime formats such as The View have recently seen veteran hosts step down, placing Welch’s exit within a broader pattern of long‑standing presenters moving on.
Career highlights and family links
Welch’s television résumé includes roles in Waterloo Road, Coronation Street, Benidorm and Hollyoaks. She also competed on Dancing On Ice in 2011 and won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. She is the mother of Matty Healy, the frontman of the band The 1975.
Reactions from the panel
Fellow panellists quickly expressed their disappointment and support. Katie Piper said, "No, gutted to be honest, Going to really miss sharing the panel with you." GK Barry described Welch as a source of daily joy and said he was sad to lose her presence. Judi Love echoed the sentiment, noting that Welch’s departure would be a loss for the show’s chemistry.
Nadia Sawalha, who has recently threatened legal action against ITV over her removal from the programme for supporting Palestine, added, "You are such a fantastic actress. Fly high lovely." All the presenters affirmed that they would remain friends and wished Welch success in her next chapter.
Welch concluded her Instagram message by thanking viewers for sharing her story over the years, acknowledging both praise and criticism, and asking for goodwill as she embarks on the new phase of her career.