Loose Women’s Denise Welch quits show after 25 years to focus on acting as ‘in demand’ star lands five new roles

DENISE Welch is leaving Loose Women after almost a quarter of a century on the ITV show. The popular former Corrie star will quit the long-running lunchtime programme to focus on her acting. Denise Welch will quit Loose Women to focus on her acting career Credit: Getty Denise with Coleen Nolan, left, and Terri Dwyer, centre, in 2005 Credit: ITV Major screen and fashion opportunities are already in the pipeline. Welch is so much in demand, she will be seen in five TV shows in as many months. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! News of her departure will come as a shock to fans. A source said: “It really is the end of an era. READ MORE ON DENISE WELCH “She is taking a massive leap of faith and going to focus solely on her acting which, really, has always been her first great love. “Over the past 18 months she has also won herself a whole new fan base with Gen Z, and the LGBTQIA+ community especially.” The source added: “This has seen her being offered high-fashion photoshoots, and given new social media opportunities. “Now is the time to pursue her dreams, although she will be devastated to wave goodbye to her Loose friends and colleagues. She will be sorely missed.” Most read in TV From left, Kaye Adams, Denise, Laura Whitmore & Katie Piper Credit: Shutterstock King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, enjoys a drink with Corrie barmaid Natalie Barnes, played by Denise, in 2000 Credit: PA:Press Association The award-winning series began in 1999, with Denise making her guest debut the following year. Since then, she has been a regular on the panel, which has four women from the entertainment and journalism industries interviewing stars, discussing their personal lives and debating topical issues. Other regulars include The Sun’s Jane Moore, Coleen Nolan and Janet Street Porter, as well as a raft of newer faces brought in over the past five years in an attempt to “modernise” the format. Denise has long been regarded as one of the show’s most recognisable faces. Denise made her guest debut on Loose Women in 2000 Credit: Shutterstock Denise became a regular on the panel Credit: Shutterstock The actress, previously married to Benidorm star Tim Healy, became a household name in the role of Rovers landlady Natalie Barnes in Corrie from 1997 to 2000. Her affair with Kevin Webster and other major storylines regularly drew in over 20 million viewers. And she was behind the bar when King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, visited the set for the 40th anniversary in 2000. Denise, now wed to artist Lincoln Townley, recently starred in Channel 4 drama Tip Toe. Actress recently starred in Channel 4 drama Tip Toe Credit: Getty News of Denise’s departure will come as a shock to fans Credit: Shutterstock She will soon be in the Graham Norton novel adaptation Forever Home, sitcom Stepping Up and Benidorm Is Murder. A source added: “Denise has been filming so much of late, it simply became untenable to do both Loose Women and acting. One had to give.” Comment now