Denise Welch has shared why she was drawn to her upcoming role in Emmerdale, revealing what made the part so appealing.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the Loose Women star would be making an appearance in an episode next month, marking her appearance in all four of the UK’s major soaps.
Denise will join former Coronation Street actors Jack Ellis and Charles Dale for a special episode centered around Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and Tom King’s (James Chase) domestic abuse storyline. This will bring a dramatic conclusion to over a year of trauma for Belle, who has endured abuse and coercive control at the hands of her partner. The episode aims to shed light on the real-life experiences of domestic abuse victims and survivors.
Appearing on Loose Women, Denise discussed her role, saying: “It’s a one-off, one-hour special, and it’s the first time Emmerdale has ever done something like this. For fans of the show, it’s part of a year-long, very powerful domestic abuse storyline, which really appealed to me given Loose Women’s Facing It Together campaign on domestic abuse.”
Denise plays Heidi, one of the heads of the jury in the episode, which is set entirely in the courtroom and focuses on the jury’s deliberations. “I can’t say how it ends, but it’s a very, very powerful episode, with some of the lines taken from true cases,” she explained. “Refuge has seen it and are thrilled with how it’s been depicted, which made being part of it incredible. It airs on December 19.”
Denise’s soap credentials are impressive, having appeared in Coronation Street from 1997 to 2000 as Natalie Barnes, then in a 2016 episode of EastEnders as Alison Slater, and from 2021 to 2022, she was a regular on Hollyoaks as Trish Minniver.
Now that she’s appeared in Emmerdale, Denise joked about completing the “CHEE” set: “I saw on social media that I’m now a CHEE. It’s not quite the American EGOT, but it’s Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, EastEnders, and Emmerdale.”
Additionally, it’s been speculated that Denise might be returning to Waterloo Road, where she originally played French teacher Steph Haydock from 2006 to 2010. The actress is reportedly set to reprise her role in the BBC drama next year.
- Ruby loses control and strikes her daughter while concealing painful childhood trauma in Emmerdale
- ITV Emmerdale Christmas Plot ‘Confirmed’ Ahead of Character’s Heartbreaking Departure
- TV Icon Who’s Appeared in All Major Soaps Explains Why She Joined Emmerdale
- Disappointing Soap Update as Emmerdale Dropped from ITV Lineup in Schedule Shake-Up
- Emmerdale Disrupted Tonight as Soap Schedule Faces Another Shake-Up
- Emmerdale fans ‘figure out’ real identity of John Sugden in shocking stolen identity twist
