‘I’m going to make a concerted effort to go back to what I do and know’

Loose Women star Denise Welch has revealed she’s planning on focusing on her acting roots amid ITV’s ‘bloodbath’ cuts.

ITV announced “efficiencies” back in May, which affect scheduling and production for programmes such as Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning, as well as Loose Women.

Following confirmation of the cuts, Denise insisted in a defiant seven-word statement, saying: “There’s life in the old girls yet.”

Now, she’s opened up on what her future looks like, away from the show…

Denise Welch has made hundreds of appearances on Loose Women over the years (Credit: YouTube)

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Speaking to the Mirror in May, 67-year-old Denise – who first appeared on Loose Women in 2005 – reflected on how the show has evolved over the years.

She noted it was “never a staple of the daytime schedules like it is now”. That’s because Loose Women aired in cycles during which it was on the box for three months, then off for three months. Denise also acknowledged episodes can be affected by events like the racing. However, she added: “We’ve got our place.”

I think people can forget what I really do, and what I’m really good at.

The former Corrie actress also made mention of how she believes Loose Women’s strength is featuring panelists across a range of ages. She then made it clear she is delighted to be involved in a show that continues to celebrate that.

Denise went on: “What other show not only employs older women [but] reveres and celebrates the voices of older women? There’s life in these old girls yet.”

Denise Welch believes Loose Women ‘celebrates older voices’ (Credit: YouTube)

New focus amid ITV cuts

However, in a new interview with OK! this weekend, Denise has shared that her focus will be shifting as the cuts roll in.

She revealed: “I’m on television because I’m gobby and opinionated, and I think people can forget what I really do, and what I’m really good at, so I’m going to make a concerted effort to go back to what I do and know.

“I’m proud of some of the things I’ve done as an actress. It might sound big-headed, but it’s the one thing I say I’m [bleep]ing good at. And I’m going to concentrate on reminding everybody of that!”

Denise’s acting credits

Denise has also had a number of high-profile roles on some of the country’s best-loved soaps.

She played Rovers Return landlady Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street between 1997 and 2000. She’s also known for her part as teacher Steph Haydock in the BBC’s Waterloo Road. And, more recently, Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks.