'I'll still be wearing a bikini when I'm 97!' Denise Welch opens up about quitting drink and drugs, her toyboy husband and 'finally growing up' at 57
- Denise Welch talks to FEMAIL about new 'sober and healthy' life chapter
- 57-year-old speaks out an Loose Women and 'biggest regret' Big Brother
- Actress says new show Boy Meets Girl gives transwomen hope for love
Denise Welch has admitted she feels fabulous in a bikini at age 57 and has revealed she is enjoying a life free of drugs and alcohol with the help of her new husband, who's 14 years her junior.
The actress, best known for her roles in Coronation Street and Waterloo Road and as a former regular panelist on Loose Women, is back on TV in a series following the love life of a transwoman.
Northumberland-born Denise has spoken to FEMAIL about her new gig, why she left Loose Women and regrets Big Brother, and her new lease of life at 57.
Denise Welch has spoken to FEMAIL about feeling fabulous in a bikini at 57. She posted this picture on Twitter as she slipped into a colourful bikini during a holiday in Malta for her birthday in May this year
Close your eyes and you would still recognise Denise Welch, just by her voice.
Her northern twang is accompanied by a husky undertone - no doubt exacerbated by her years of smoking and drinking - and she's usually saying something funny, self-deprecating or refreshingly honest.
She has made no secret of her ongoing battle with depression, her alcoholism in the past and her rocky love life.
But when we speak to her, we catch her on a good day.
She's lying on a beach in Italy, wearing a bright red bikini - and why not? She's 'only 57 - it's just a number', as Denise put it.
'I lost two stone with Lighterlife and have managed, in the main, to maintain it for over two years,' Denise told FEMAIL.
'As long as I look after myself, I’ll be parading around in a bikini until I’m 97 - sorry folks!'
Denise's new lease of life is mainly down to 43-year-old Lincoln Townley - who she married in 2013
Denise's weight loss is mainly down to her meeting 43-year-old Lincoln Townley - who she married in 2013 - and the subsequent end of her 'party lifestyle' that she admitted had spiralled out of control.
'It's taken me longer than a lot of women to "grow up",' she said.
'But I met my husband, we gave up alcohol, I no longer smoke, I eat well and value my health and fitness.'
Looking forward to her new life chapter, Denise is feeling positive about things.
'I’m very much in love with my husband. I feel lucky to have found such a fabulous relationship at 57.
'Lincoln is a successful artist [and] I’m back doing what I do best; acting.'
Denise's latest role is on Boy Meets Girl, a sitcom which follows the life and love of a transwoman, played by real-life transgender Rebecca Root.
Denise's latest role is on Boy Meets Girl, a sitcom which follows the life and love of a transwoman, played by real-life transgender Rebecca Root (centre). Denise (left) plays love interest Leo's (right) mother
Denise, who plays love interest Leo's mum, said she's thrilled the show has 'helped so many in the transgender community'.
'We have had so many transwomen tell us that it has made them feel more accepted and given them hope of finding love,' she said.
'I think the subject theme has been handled with humour and sensitivity.
'I’m very proud to be part of it.'
Denise has also just finished her first novel If They Could See Me Now, which will be out in time for Mothers' Day next year.
For the past 26 years Denise has battled depression, but without the proper diagnosis she masked her suffering with drugs and alcohol. Pictured here in 2005
Although arguably the title could be appropriate for an autobiography.
Even Denise probably couldn't have imagined she would one day be a healthy, happily married, sober non-smoker.
For the past 26 years she has battled depression, but without the proper diagnosis she masked her suffering with drugs and alcohol.
'I try not to focus on regrets,' said Denise.
'[But] I wish I had discovered [consultant gynaecologist] Professor John Studd earlier and found out that I was massively deficient in oestrogen [which can cause depression].'
She has since taken a prescription medication to balance her hormones, which she has said was almost like a miracle.
Professionally, she's had a lot of high points, appearing on Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Soldier, Soldier, Holby City and Benidorm among others. Plus she was a contestant on Dancing on Ice in January 2011.
One of Denise's best-known characters is Natalie Barnes, the landlady of Rovers Return in Coronation Street
Denise (second from left) said she had 'some of the best laughs of my life' on Loose Women, but she left the show under controversial circumstances. Pictured with fellow Loose Women panelists (l-r) Andrea McLean, Zoe Tyler, Coleen Nolan and Kate Thornton
Many likely know her too as a regular panelist on ITV's Loose Women, which she appeared on from 1999 until October 2013.
'I had many wonderful years, we won lots of awards and I had some of the best laughs of my life,' said Denise.
So why did she leave? 'Because my life had changed so much and Loose Women no longer represented who I was.'
And, never one to be a shrinking violet, there was some controversy.
'The new producer wanted to make changes I didn’t agree with, so I left.'
But Denise admits her biggest regret from a professional point of view was taking part in Celebrity Big Brother in early 2012.
Denise said one of her biggest professional regrets was Celebrity Big Brother, which she won in February 2012. She is pictured here entering the house
She was crowned winner, but she is arguably more widely remembered for consistently flashing her breasts, including a drunken night in the hot tub when she insisted on 'letting the puppies out'.
Denise later confessed on Loose Women in February 2012 that her and her husband of 24 years Tim Healy had separated and added that the 'press furore after Celebrity Big Brother naively took us by storm'.
The couple have two children together, 26-year-old Louis and Matthew, 14.
But Tim - also a former Coronation Street star - wasn't her first marriage. She wed actor David Easter in 1983, but they divorced just five years later.
Denise married fellow Corrie actor Tim Healy in 1988. They were married for 24 years and have two children together, 26-year-old Louis and Matthew, 14.
Now a wife again, why is marriage so important to Denise?
'I love marriage – I like being Mrs Townley, it makes me feel loved and secure,' she said.
'I must like it as I’ve done it three times!'
And it does appear that Lincoln is good for her. Both former alcoholics, they support each other through recovery.
'I cherish our sobriety. We couldn’t have done it without each other,' said Denise.
'Everyone in our lives benefits from us being sober. We anchor each other.
Denise is looking fabulous at 57. She lost two stone and has maintained her weight for two years. Pictured in a flattering black swimsuit on her birthday holiday in Malta this year
'I will always suffer from a mental illness but because I look after myself these days, I control the episodes more successfully.
'They are few and far between and much shorter lived.'
And while many say they would love to turn back the hands of time and be 21 again, that idea certainly doesn't appeal to Denise.
'I wouldn’t want to be any other age,' she said.
'I am happy where I am right now.'
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