Denise Welch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Denise Welch
Welch in 2011
Born	Jacqueline Denise Welch (1958-05-22) 22 May 1958 (age 67) Tynemouth, Northumberland, England
Occupation	Actress television personality writer
Years active	1981–present
Employer	ITV BBC Channel 4
Spouse(s)	David Easter ​ ​ (m. 1983; div. 1988)​ Tim Healy ​ ​ (m. 1988; div. 2012)​ Lincoln Townley ​ (m. 2013)​
Children	2, including Matty Healy

Jacqueline Denise Welch (born 22 May 1958) is a well-known English actress, TV star, and writer. She has played many famous characters. These include Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street (1997–2000), Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road (2006–2010, and returning in 2025), and Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks (2021–2022).

Denise is also a regular on the ITV chat show Loose Women (2005–2013, 2018–present). She has appeared in TV dramas like Spender (1991–1993) and Soldier Soldier (1993–1995). In 2011, she was a contestant on Dancing on Ice. A year later, in 2012, Denise won the ninth series of Celebrity Big Brother.

Denise Welch: Early Life and Education

Denise Welch was born in Tynemouth, Northumberland, England, on 22 May 1958. She has a younger sister named Debbie. Denise went to Bygate School in Whitley Bay and La Sagesse School in Newcastle upon Tyne.

When she was 13, her family moved to Ebchester, County Durham. There, she attended Blackfyne Grammar School. She passed five GCE exams, which are important school qualifications.

Discovering a Love for Acting

Denise found her passion for acting at age 14. This happened after she was cast in a school play called Finian's Rainbow. When she was 17, she thought about becoming a teacher. However, her father and drama teacher encouraged her to apply to a drama school.

She got into the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. Denise graduated in 1979. She also earned her Equity Card, which is needed to work as a professional actor, while teaching dance at the Watford Palace Theatre.

Denise Welch's Acting Career Highlights

Denise Welch started her acting career right after leaving school. She received formal training at Mountview Theatre School from 1976 to 1979.

Early Stage and TV Roles

In 1983, she performed on stage in London in Yakkety-Yak. She then joined the Live Theatre Company in Newcastle upon Tyne. There, she acted in many plays, including There's a Girl in My Soup. She also played Sandy in the musical Grease in 1984.

Her first TV appearance was in Barriers in 1981. Later, she appeared in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1986). She also had roles in the children's show Byker Grove (1990–1991) and Spender (1991–1993).

Becoming a Household Name

In 1993, Denise became very well-known. She was cast as Marsha Stubbs in the ITV drama series Soldier Soldier. This role made her a familiar face to many viewers.

In 1997, Denise gained even more fame. She joined the popular ITV soap opera Coronation Street as Natalie Horrocks. Her character, Natalie, became the landlady of the famous pub, The Rovers Return. Denise left Coronation Street in 2000 because she was expecting a baby and wanted to spend time with her new child.

Later TV and Film Work

After Coronation Street, Denise continued to act in many TV shows. She guest-starred in Where the Heart Is and Holby City in 2002. She also appeared in The Bill and Doctors.

From 2006 to 2010, she played French teacher Steph Haydock in the BBC One drama Waterloo Road. She will return to this role in 2025. In 2011, she appeared in an episode of Casualty.

Denise also had a part in Benidorm in 2011. She played 'Scary' Mary alongside her then-husband, Tim Healy. In 2016, she guest-starred in EastEnders as Alison Slater. Fans praised her performance in this role.

In 2017, Denise appeared in the romantic comedy film Finding Fatimah. She also starred in Black Eyed Susan, a short film about her own experiences, alongside her son Louis. This film won an award at the Silicon Beach Film Awards. In 2023, Denise played Queen Elizabeth II in Diana: The Musical.

Presenting and TV Appearances

Denise Welch has presented many TV shows. She also appeared in adverts for SCS furniture. She hosted her own DIY show, The Real DIY Show, in 2000.

Loose Women and Reality TV

Since 2005, Denise has been a regular panelist on the ITV chat show Loose Women. She was also a contestant on Stars in Their Eyes in 1999, where she sang as Petula Clark.

In 2011, Denise competed on Dancing on Ice with professional skater Matt Evers. They were voted out in the eighth week. In January 2012, Denise was a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5. She went on to win the series, which was a big achievement.

In 2013, she took part in the ITV dancing show Stepping Out with her husband Lincoln Townley. Denise returned to Loose Women in June 2018 after a break.

Denise Welch's Personal Life

Denise Welch lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire. She was first married to actor David Easter from 1983 to 1988.

Family Life

Denise met actor Tim Healy while they were working together. They married in 1988 and have two sons. Their eldest son, Matty Healy (born 1989), is a member of the band The 1975. Their younger son, Louis Vincent (born 2001), is an actor.

In 2012, Denise announced that she and Tim Healy had separated. Soon after, she shared that she was dating her PR manager, Lincoln Townley. They got engaged in August 2012 and married in Portugal on 13 July 2013.

Writing and Well-being

In April 2010, Denise published her autobiography called Pulling Myself Together. It became a best-seller in the UK. She also wrote another memoir, Starting Over, and a novel, If They Could See Me Now.

Denise has spoken openly about her well-being. In a 2015 interview, she shared that she felt much better about her mental health in her 50s compared to her 30s and 40s.

Filmography

Theatre Credits

Written Works

Memoirs

• Pulling Myself Together (Pan, 2010) ISBN: 9780330513012
• Starting Over (Pan, 2012) ISBN: 9781447222484
• The Unwelcome Visitor (Hodder and Stoughton, 2020) ISBN: 9780330513012

Novels

• If They Could See Me Now (Sphere, 2016) ISBN: 9780751562323
• The Mother's Bond (Sphere, 2018) ISBN: 9780751562378

See also

In Spanish: Denise Welch para niños

• List of Celebrity Big Brother (British TV series) housemates
• List of Dancing on Ice contestants