Denise Welch has opened up about a recent health scare that led to a hospital stay, revealing the shocking details of her experience. 

The 66-year-old Loose Women star disclosed that she endured a painful 24-hour wait in A&E before receiving a hospital bed—

only to be moved swiftly after being recognized by another patient who alerted the press.

Speaking on Thursday’s episode of Loose Women, Denise shared her ordeal while the panel discussed the NHS Trust’s controversial job advert for a 

“corridor care” doctor, aimed at addressing overcrowding in emergency departments. 

The conversation took a personal turn when Denise detailed her own struggles with the healthcare system during her recent medical emergency.

A Grueling Wait Amid Severe Pain

Denise revealed that she had been suffering from excruciating pain before being taken to the hospital. The cause of her agony was later identified as acute peritonitis, a serious infection of the stomach lining that can become life-threatening if left untreated.

Recalling her experience, Denise explained, “I was rushed into hospital. I was alright, but I was in A&E for 24 hours. They were looking after me, but they kept saying, ‘There’s no bed, there’s no bed.’ They wanted me on the surgical ward, but there were no available beds.”

Despite her obvious distress, she was forced to endure the prolonged wait. However, things took a dramatic turn when someone in the waiting area recognized her and reportedly contacted the press. “Somebody spotted me and phoned the press—and I was in a bed in 15 minutes,” she revealed.

Her co-host Charlene White acknowledged that Denise’s statement was bound to stir controversy, highlighting ongoing concerns about the state of the NHS and patient care disparities.

Emergency Treatment and Recovery

Denise’s condition, peritonitis, is a severe and potentially fatal infection that requires urgent medical attention. If untreated, it can lead to complications, including organ failure. According to medical guidelines, treatment typically involves hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics, which was the course of action taken in Denise’s case.

After being placed on a hospital drip for a week, Denise was relieved to avoid surgery, as doctors successfully managed her infection with antibiotics. She humorously recounted her mother’s reaction to her health scare, joking, “As my mother said, ‘Take me to the knacker’s yard!’”

A Difficult Few Months

Denise’s recent hospitalization was not her only health challenge. Earlier this month, she became emotional while discussing her prolonged absence from Loose Women. She last appeared live on the show in November before a pre-recorded segment aired in December.

Opening up about her struggles, she admitted that she began feeling unwell after a particularly hectic month. At one point, she realized something was seriously wrong when she mistakenly drove up a one-way street and began experiencing severe anxiety.

The actress described her battle with panic attacks, revealing that her husband, Lincoln Townley, took steps to ease her workload by canceling commitments—including a planned theatre performance and her own charity event.

Despite initially attempting to fulfill her obligations, Denise was forced to withdraw from a pantomime production, where she had been set to play Captain Hook. After just a few days of rehearsals, she collapsed in her hotel lobby, leading her agent to step in and pull her from the show.

Denise described the darkness of her mental health struggles, saying, “It was so black, so dark, so quickly.” However, after taking time to rest and recover, she reassured fans that she was on the mend. “I’ve made a recovery from this episode,” she shared, visibly emotional.

Opening Up About Her Weight Loss

In addition to discussing her health struggles, Denise has also recently spoken about her dramatic weight loss. She credited her transformation to a serious medical warning from doctors, who told her that her sleep apnea put her at risk of a heart attack or stroke within 10 years.

Determined to improve her health, Denise committed to changing her lifestyle and successfully lost over two stone. She shared her journey on Loose Women, stating, “I feel so much better having done it because I learned how to change my relationship with food.”

Her weight loss journey became evident when she recently showcased her slimmer figure in a colorful swimsuit. She later humorously admitted that she cropped her husband out of a holiday photo because he wasn’t dressed appropriately for the shot.

Looking Ahead

Denise Welch’s candid revelations have sparked conversations about NHS waiting times, the struggles of dealing with serious health issues, and the importance of mental health awareness. While her experience has highlighted flaws in the healthcare system, it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life’s challenges.

After overcoming both physical and mental health setbacks in recent months, Denise is now focusing on her recovery and looking forward to returning to her work on Loose Women. With her signature honesty and humor, she continues to inspire fans by sharing her journey—proving that resilience and determination can make all the difference.

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