Denise Welch made a poignant return to Loose Women, opening up about the health scare that led to her hospitalisation and absence from the show.

The 66-year-old actress had taken a brief break from the show to prioritise her well-being after a collapsing and then being admitted to hospital. Host Ruth Langsford warmly welcomed her back on Tuesday (February 11) as Denise sat down to recount her harrowing experience.

During pantomime season, Denise "collapsed" before her performance. This alarming event resulted in her withdrawal from the role of Captain Hook in the 2024 production of Peter Pan at Nottingham Theatre Royal, with Richard Winsor stepping in as her replacement.

Battling depression for many years, Denise recognised the signs, noting a "tingling sensation" in her arm and a "metallic taste" in her mouth. A distressing incident then occurred when Denise mistakenly drove the wrong way up a side street and was met with scathing reprimands from another driver; she intuitively sensed that something was severely amiss.

There were other stresses too as Denise was also grappling with personal challenges, including dealing with the early release of her stalker from prison, reports .

Starting the show with a personal revelation, Denise shared: "I ploughed on and I started the pantomime, within three days I collapsed in the foyer of the hotel I was staying in and I got back to the room and I said to my agent 'you've got to pull me out'."

Continuing her story, she added: "My agent Bex and my husband, who have been amazing, phoned the company manager of the Panto and the first thing he said was.."

Becoming visibly moved by the memory, Denise recounted her manager's thoughtful response: "'Is she on her own?' and 'does she want me to go and be with her?'"

Unfortunately, despite her determined efforts, Denise was forced to withdraw from the festive show after she "collapsed," making it necessary for her to step away from not only the pantomime but her role on Loose Women as well.

Denise further explained that she was set to return to her ITV gig last week when she fell ill again and was rushed to hospital, diagnosed with acute peratinital perforated diverticulitis.

After receiving treatment through an intravenous drip while doctors considered surgery, she emotionally disclosed: "So I've been in hospital on a drip for a b****y week."

Quickly apologising: "Excuse me," she clarified that fortunately, surgery wasn't needed: "Anyway they didn't have to do surgery, they got it with antibiotics."

Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1, from 12:30pm.