INTERVIEW
Loose Women’s Denise Welch talks about her growing family, reveals her perfect night in and shares her plans for 2024
She made her acting debut 40 years ago and has been part of the Loose Women panel for over two decades – and Denise Welch shows no signs of stopping as we head into 2024 following the festive break.
And after sashaying into the holiday season in a sensational showgirl outfit last year at The GEM Appeal ball, Denise, 65 –who insists “there is no age limit on what you can and can’t wear” –says that she and husband Lincoln Townley have loved spending time with their ever-growing family.
The mum-of-two – who recently celebrated her 10th anniversary with Lincoln, 50 – divorced her ex-husband, Benidorm’s Tim Healy, in 2012. But the former couple still come together to spend Christmas with their two sons, The 1975’s Matty, 34, and Louis, 22.
And since becoming a grandmother this year – when stepson Lewis and his wife welcomed baby Theo in March – Denise says she couldn’t be more proud of her blended family.
She says, “Christmas Day… It’s so nice that you can have all your blended family all in one room. We’ve always done that and it’s always great.
We’re all friends and it works for us.”
SOBRIETY
And celebrating 11 years of sobriety this April, Denise felt no temptation to raise a glass of fizz over the holidays.
She says, “There’s no desire, ever. Since the day I gave up being around alcohol, it has never been a problem for me. If I’m going to something that I feel obliged to go to, like a party, Lincoln and I will have a great time till about 9pm and we’re home having a crumpet by 10pm.”
She adds, “I like being on the sofa in my pyjamas as much as is feasibly possible. Lincoln and I work very hard, but we’re also very good at relaxing. As soon as the day’s done, we’ll take off our shoes, get a takeaway –and I’ve got a masseur coming to the flat tonight to give us both a massage. That to me is my dream night. True crime, food on lap, massage, husband. Done! I’m at my happiest when I’m with my husband.”
Last year was an exceptionally busy one for Denise, who took on the role of the late Queen Elizabeth II in Diana The Musical in London in December.
She says, “I’ve never actually played a real-life character before, so to play the Queen is really quite something. I’ve met [King] Charles on more than one occasion. He was very nice. And of course, I’m a huge Harry and Meghan supporter. I wouldn’t have done Diana The Musical had it not been completely reverential to Diana. I never got to me
