Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Denise Welch says she’s ‘alive and well’ after falling victim to death hoax

‘Thanks for your concern,’ former ‘Loose Women’ star said

Jacob Stolworthy
Sunday 03 December 2023 22:11 GMT
Comments
Denise Welch tells outrageous joke at Michael Caine's birthday party attended by Tom Cruise

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Denise Welch has been forced to share an update on her health after falling victim to a death hoax.

On Sunday (3 December), messages claiming that Welch had died began circulating social media.

The TV personality, who is best known for being a panellist on ITV series Loose Women, confirmed she was alive after fans expressed their concern when her name became the biggest trending topic on X/Twitter.

However, Welch posted an update informing her fans she was, in fact, alive and well” and was about to tune into the latest episode of I’m a Celebrity.

She wrote: “I’m alive and well and about to watch the jungle. Thanks for your concern.”

Welch, who is the mother of The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, accompanied her post with three embarrassed-face emojis.

Denice Welch shares update after falling victim to death hoax
Denice Welch shares update after falling victim to death hoax (X/Twitter)

Earlier this year, the presenter said she would be stepping away from the public eye temporarily following her 65th birthday.

In an Instagram video, Welch thanked her followers for the “lovely messages and comments” that she has received for her birthday, which fell on Monday (22 May).

She continued: “I’m going off on a little adventure for a couple of weeks so I’m going to be off here and off my phone.

“I don’t quite know how I’m going to cope, but I’m going to give it a try, so don’t think I have disappeared. It’s just a temporary little holiday and I’ll be back soon.”

Welch wrote in the caption: “Thank you and au revoir for a couple of weeks!”

Denise Welch fell victim to a death hoax
Denise Welch fell victim to a death hoax (ITV)

In her video, the former Coronation Street star also paid tribute to her mother, whose death anniversary falls on Welch’s birthday and a day after Mother’s Day. Her mother Anne died in 2012.

She said: “For those missing their mums, I’m thinking of you. It’s a full circle. She brought me into the world on the 22nd of May and she left the world holding mine and my sister’s hand on the 22nd of May, so it’s a celebration of life as well.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in