Denise Welch is to swap daytime for a return to acting, after announcing that she is leaving Loose Women.
Welch, who has appeared on the popular daytime ITV show on and off for the last 25 years, has announced via social media, that she wants to follow "the most wonderful opportunities" she has been offered in acting, as she seeks to explore a "new chapter in her life".
Taking to Instagram, Welch said: "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", she continued. "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".
"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", she added.
"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".
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Welch's post was met with a myriad of supporting comments from several household names wishing her well, including former Countdown star, Carol Vorderman, comedian, Alan Carr, former Coronation Street star, Sue Cleaver, as well as current Corrie cast member, Catherine Tyldesley.
Denise Welch is renowned for playing barmaid Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street from 1997 to 2000, as well as teacher Steph Haydock in BBC drama, Waterloo Road. She is also the mother of Matt Healy, lead singer of The 1975.
Back in January, it was also confirmed that Denise Welch was to star in an adaption of a best selling novel from Graham Norton, Forever Home, which is to be released later this year.
More on this story here.
