Denise Welch to take break from Loose Women after Carol McGiffin departure

Virgin Radio

23 May 2023, 11:53

Another Loose Women star is set to leave our screens after Denise Welch announced she's taking a break.

She stressed that it is a temporary change, as she heads off for "an adventure".

It comes after Carol McGiffin's shock exit from the panel show.

Denise also said she will be taking a break from her phone and social media for a couple of weeks.

She also opened up about her mental health back when her son Matty from The 1975 was born.

The actress also talked about being sober.

Welch shared the video on her Instagram, explaining her decision to fans: "Well on this day, on my 65th birthday, I want to thank you in advance for all the lovely messages and comments that I've received.

"I'm going off on a little adventure for a couple of weeks so I'm going to be off here and off my phone.

"I don't quite know how I'm going to cope, but I'm going to give it a try, so don't think I have disappeared.

"It's just a temporary little holiday and I'll be back soon, so lots and lots of love."

"I'm going to be with my hubby, so we're both off on an adventure.

"Lots and lots of love, and I remember on this day, it's not only my birthday but it's the anniversary of when we lost my gorgeous mum Annie, and just to say for those missing their mums, I'm thinking of you.

"But it's a full circle, she brought me into the world on the 22nd May, and she left the world, holding mine and my sisters' hands on the 22nd May.

"So it's a celebration of life as well, so lots of love I'll see you soon."

"Thank you and au revoir for a couple of weeks!!!"

Denise's departure follows on from Carol McGiffin leaving the show, after saying she was "forced".

Carol announced the news in her Best magazine column: ‘The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say ‘no thanks.’”

She told GB News: "Well put it this way, reading all the comments from the article at the weekend there are a lot of people who think the programme has gone very, very woke.’

She joked that even she doesn’t watch anymore and added: "You just don't have to keep forcing this stuff down peoples' throats. It's not just ITV, the BBC is probably worse actually."