Denise Welch leaves Loose Women to focus on acting

Denise Welch has announced her departure from the ITV panel show ‘Loose Women’ to focus on her acting career. Welch, who has appeared on the program on and off for approximately 25 years, shared the news via Instagram, stating that acting has always been her “first love” and that she is pursuing new opportunities.

Welch first appeared as a guest on the show in 2001 and became a permanent presenter in 2005. She previously left the program in 2013 before returning in 2018. Fellow panelists, including Katie Piper and Judi Love, have expressed their support for her decision.

The announcement comes as the show faces internal scrutiny, following claims by panellist Nadia Sawalha regarding legal action against ITV over the treatment of her protected beliefs.