Denise Welch has shared a heartbreaking revelation about a past “abusive relationship”. The renowned presenter from Loose Women disclosed being ensnared in a “coercive” relationship many years ago, emphasizing that her ex was not physically violent but rather “very manipulative”, gradually undermining her self-esteem through subtle comments.
Despite the distressing situation, the 67-year-old mother of two admitted to hesitating to confide in her friends at that time as she believed they would push her to leave the relationship, even though she didn’t feel prepared to end it.
During an episode of the Loose Women: Just Between Us podcast, Denise recounted her experience, describing how her former partner employed manipulative tactics to erode her confidence slowly. She revealed how he criticized her appearance, attempting to reshape her to fit his ideals and avoid drawing attention from others.
When questioned about sharing her ordeal with friends, Denise confessed that embarrassment and the hope of changing her partner deterred her from seeking help. She recounted instances where her ex would apologize, promising to change, leading her to grant him more chances in a cycle of false hopes.
Denise highlighted the misconception that abuse must be physical, asserting that emotional bruises from such relationships can be enduring and invisible. She also detailed instances of her ex’s attempts to isolate her from her family, citing a disturbing incident in a restaurant where jealousy led to a violent outburst.
Following the tumultuous relationship, Denise eventually found solace in marriage with actor Tim Healy, with whom she shares children Matty and Louis, before later marrying Lincoln Townley in 2013.
