Emmerdale signs up Loose Women star as she finally lands role in the soap for hugely important storyline
LOOSE Women legend Denise Welch has signed up for a guest role on Emmerdale.
The actress, 66, has already appeared in Coronation Street, EastEnders and Hollyoaks but has now bagged a role on Emmerdale to complete the set with a very special role.
The Sun can reveal that she will be appearing as part of an all-star jury in a court episode as Belle Dingle’s abuser Tom King faces justice for what he’s done.
A source said: “Denise is overjoyed to have landed a part on Emmerdale – especially in such a hugely important episode.”
The special hour-long episode will air in December and will highlight the real life voices of domestic abuse victims and survivors.
Their stories will be told from the perspectives of the jury as Belle discovers if she will get justice over everything Tom has done to her.
Emmerdale Producer Laura Shaw said: “When we first embarked on this journey we knew we wanted to show domestic abuse, coercive control and manipulation in all its guises.
“The privilege we have on a drama such as Emmerdale is being able to show the reality of a situation like Belle’s over a longer period of time to authentically reflect what so many people go through in real life on a daily basis.
She continued: “We knew from the outset that Belle would need some sort of closure on Tom and we know our Emmerdale audience always look forward to our villains getting their comeuppance.
“We don’t want to spoil the outcome of this story and reveal what will happen to Tom, but needless to say, Belle’s going to be in a much better place by this Christmas.”
Lindsay Oliver CEO of New Beginnings Peer Support added: “When Emmerdale explained they hoped to include the real life testimonies of domestic abuse victims and survivors within these scenes we knew it would be the truest way for them to authentically close this storyline.
“We have been on board with this story since 2023 when Emmerdale first approached us about depicting a cohesive and controlling relationship on the series.
“We are pleased Emmerdale have highlighted and are continuing to showcase this issue right to the end.
“And we hope these final episodes will continue to raise awareness about domestic abuse, controlling relationships and the fact there is help out there.”
Denise – who The Sun exclusively revealed is returning to Waterloo Road – made her name as Natalie Barnes on Coronation Street in the 90s.
In 2016 she joined EastEnders as Kyle Slater’s estranged mum Alison for a short stint.
Biggest soap stunts
Soaps are no stranger to dramatic stunts in the storylines. Not only do these moments create a spectacle for viewers, they also fundamentally change characters’ lives.
Here is a look at some of the biggest soap stunts from over the years.
CORONATION STREET
- Tram crash (2010): The ITV soap marked its 50th anniversary with a intense tram crash – and live episode to boot. Overall, the crash and its effects were broadcast across a week in December 2010. Its resulting chaos saw regular characters Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) die.
- Richard Hillman tries to kill the Platts (2003): Of all the men unlucky-in-love Gail tied the knot with, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) is probably the one she regrets most in hindsight. In 2003, murderer Richard tried to kill his step-family: first by gassing them with car fumes and then driving Gail (Helen Worth), Sarah (Tina O’Brien), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Bethany (Amy and Emily Walton) into a canal.
EASTENDERS
- Queen Vic fire (2010): In September 2010, EastEnders bid farewell to matriarch Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) as a permanent fixture on the soap – she returned as a guest before the character’s death in 2016. In the build-up to her initial exit, Peggy had trapped crack cocaine-addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) in the Queen Vic. However, he escaped and set the boozer on fire.
- Bus crash (2017): In April 2017, a total of 11 Albert Square residents had their lives at risk in a terrifying bus crash. The stunt saw a double decker bus – the 764 to Barking – lose control and crash through the Albert Square market before hitting a low-level bridge. Notable passengers at the time included Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).
EMMERDALE
- James Barton’s death (2016): Interestingly about James’ (Bill Ward) death was that it came in a spiral of events. After wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) locked James up in a jealous rage, he escaped and they tussled on a bridge over the bypass. Emma pushed him and James fell into traffic, in turn causing a 12-vehicle pile up, As well as James dying, key characters including Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were injured.
And between 2021 and 2022 she played the villainous Trish Minniver in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
She will also be joined in the jury by former Coronation Street star Charles Dale, and Bad Girls actor Jack Ellis.