3 days Ago By Jennie Buzaglo
Denise Welch has candidly shared details of her recent health struggles on social media, which led to her stepping down from a pantomime role. In July, the Loose Women panelist, 66, was thrilled to announce that she had been cast as Captain Hook in the Peter Pan panto at Nottingham Theatre Royal, alongside celebrities such as Gok Wan and Paul Chuckle. She was scheduled to begin her run on December 7, with the show continuing until the New Year.
However, just a week before the curtain was due to rise, the theatre announced that Denise would no longer be participating in the production and had been quickly replaced by TV and musical theatre actor Richard Windsor. The Theatre Royal released a statement on their social media channels regarding Denise's exit from the cast, stating: "We're sorry to announce that Denise Welch will no longer be performing in this year's pantomime due to ill health. "We send Denise our warmest wishes, and hope she feels better very soon.
" On Sunday (December 29), Denise took to Instagram to candidly discuss her recent health struggles. Sharing a video of herself dancing with her son, The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, and his fiancée Gabbriette Bechtel, Denise wrote: "I've had a very bumpy few weeks health wise, which sadly resulted in me having to pull out of my first panto in 12 years. So it was lovely to feel well enough to spend Christmas with my family.
" Denise recently made a guest appearance in Emmerdale , portraying a jury member during Tom King's (James Chase) trial. This added to her soap star credentials, having already appeared in Coronation Street , EastEnders and Hollyoaks. Denise is set for another TV return as she has been tipped to reprise her role as Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road.
The TV personality played the role for four years before departing in 2010. Waterloo Road sensationally returned to screens with a revival series in 2023 after an eight-year absence, with the most series concluding in October. A BBC insider told The Sun : "Waterloo Road fans love a comeback, particularly when it is someone of Denise’s calibre.
"The character is certainly one which will live long in the memory of devotees, and it’s an absolute no brainer to have her return.".
