DENISE Welch has broken her silence after being forced to drop out of commitments over health woes.
The Loose Women star has shared new photos from her Christmas, appearing in good spirits as she danced with her eldest son, The 1975’s Matty Healy, and his new fiancée, Gabbriette.
Denise also shared a picture of her and Gabbriette in matching pajamas with a group of close family friends as they spent the holidays away in the luxury Bleaklow Farm – a 15-bedroom cottage in the Peak District.
The star later took to Instagram to explain that she hasn’t been feeling well, causing her to pull out of public appearances and her annual panto stint.
She wrote on the video: “I’ve had a very bumpy few weeks health wise which resulted in sadly having to pull out of my first panto in 12 years. So it was lovely to feel well enough to enjoy Christmas with my family.
“I’m eventually getting round to posting a few videos @gabbriette and Matty.”
Denise was due to appear in Peter Pan at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, and had organised her annual charity ball in aid of GEM appeal.
However she cancelled her scheduled appearance in both at the beginning of December, sparking concern for her wellbeing.
She was replaced in the panto by Casualty star Richard Winsor, while the annual ball – which Denise has hosted for the past 23 years – continued its Mamma Mia! Themed party without her.
But it seems like she was in much better spirits by the time Christmas came around, dancing to Wham! Classic last Christmas with Matty and her soon-to-be daughter in law, with all of them pulling dance moves for the camera.
The live band in the living room later got the whole group dancing – with Denise’s husband Lincoln Townley, ex-husband Tim Healy, youngest son Louis and friends all dancing along.
At one point Denise, in a green outfit and red lipstick, gave her husband a peck on the lips.
Before her time away, Denise admitted that she had been struggling with her mental health for the first time in years.
Speaking on Loose Women, Denise said: “I’d just done a podcast saying I’d been free for five years from clinical depression and that I hoped that something that happened when I had a baby had reversed.
“But sadly the unwelcome visitor paid me an unwelcome visit and so I’ve not been well for a couple of weeks.”
Denise, who has battled with depression for over 30 years, continued: “The reason why I’m glad we’ve alluded to it is because we do all of things like Britain Get Talking and sometimes people still find that it isn’t always good to talk.
“So I just wanted to come on here because what I need when I’m poorly is for my friends to just know that I need time to get well.
“I need for the people that I work with like yourselves and like our wonderful production team to say ‘if you want to come to work come to work.”
“And if I don’t, like last week I didn’t come to work, because I know my illness more than anyone.”
