Denise Welch made an emotional return to Loose Women after an extended absence, revealing the personal struggles that kept her away from the show for months. 

The 66-year-old television star, who has always been candid about her mental health battles, fought back tears as she explained the difficult period she had been through, 

which included a severe episode of depression and a recent health scare that landed her in the hospital.

A Difficult Few Months

Denise, who was last seen on Loose Women in late November, 

had also appeared in a pre-recorded segment the following month discussing postnatal depression as part of the show’s 25-hour talkathon. 

However, after that, she disappeared from the spotlight, leaving fans concerned about her well-being.

Speaking on Tuesday’s episode of the ITV panel show, Denise shared that she had initially ignored the signs that something was wrong. After a hectic November filled with work commitments, she realized she was struggling when she mistakenly drove the wrong way down a one-way street. The incident left her overwhelmed with anxiety, and things quickly spiraled from there.

“It was so black, so dark, so quickly,” she recalled, describing the sudden and severe onset of depression that followed.

Panic Attacks and Stepping Away

As her condition worsened, Denise suffered from panic attacks, prompting her husband, Lincoln Townley, to step in and try to remove as many commitments from her schedule as possible. This included pulling her out of a theatre role and canceling her attendance at her own charity ball.

Denise had been set to play Captain Hook in a pantomime production at Nottingham Theatre Royal over the Christmas period. However, within just three days of starting the role, she collapsed in the hotel foyer, a clear sign that she was not in the right state to continue.

“I said to my agent, ‘You’ve got to pull me out,’” she revealed.

The television personality admitted that the past few months had been one of the hardest battles with depression she had faced in years. However, after taking time to rest and recover, she assured her co-stars that she had made progress.

“I’ve made a recovery from this episode,” she said, visibly emotional as she reflected on her journey back to stability.

A Frightening Health Scare

Just as she was beginning to feel like herself again, Denise faced another major setback. Shortly after returning from a holiday in the Caribbean, where she had been looking forward to relaxing, she was rushed to the hospital with acute peritonitis, a serious infection of the stomach lining caused by a perforated diverticulitis.

Denise described how her plans to return to Loose Women with a “lovely suntan” were abruptly derailed when she became seriously ill.

“I got back from a lovely holiday in the Caribbean last Saturday, all bronzed and looking forward to coming on here and showing off my suntan,” she said. “But I got rushed into hospital on the Saturday with acute peritonitis – a perforated diverticulitis.”

She spent a week in the hospital on an IV drip, receiving strong antibiotics to combat the infection. Fortunately, doctors were able to avoid surgery, successfully treating the condition with medication.

Despite the frightening ordeal, Denise remained lighthearted, even quoting her late mother: “As my mother used to say, ‘Take me to the knacker’s yard!’”

The Challenges of Mental Health

Denise’s struggles with depression are well-documented, and she has often used her platform to raise awareness about mental health issues. Just weeks before stepping away from Loose Women, she had spoken openly on the show about how difficult things had been for her.

“I’d just done a podcast and an article saying how I’d been free for five years of clinical depression,” she admitted. “And then, sadly, the unwelcome visitor paid me another visit.”

She acknowledged that even after years of managing her mental health, depression can still be unpredictable. Some days she feels fine, while other days, the illness takes over completely.

“The NHS still describes depression as ongoing sadness,” she pointed out. “But sadness is something that happens when you experience a loss or something upsetting. It’s a healthy emotion. Depression is something entirely different.”

Denise also spoke about the importance of having a strong support system, emphasizing how vital it is for people around her to understand when she needs time to heal.

“I just needed my friends to know I needed time to get well,” she explained. “The people I work with have been incredibly supportive. They’ve told me, ‘If you want to come to work, come to work. If you don’t, we understand.’”

Moving Forward

Denise Welch’s return to Loose Women marked a significant step in her recovery. While the past few months have been incredibly challenging, she remains hopeful and determined to continue her advocacy for mental health awareness.

Her experience serves as an important reminder that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of their public persona. By sharing her story so openly, Denise continues to encourage important conversations about mental well-being, resilience, and the power of support during difficult times.

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