Denise Welch has announced her departure from ITV’s Loose Women after more than 25 years.
The actress, who has appeared on and off the panel, is stepping away to focus on her growing acting career.
She has not appeared on the daytime talk show since the end of June.
Denise Welch confirms departure from ITV's Loose Women
In a video shared on Instagram, Ms Welch said: "I'm leaving Loose Women.
"After the best part of 25 years, off and on, I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018.
"This show has been a part of me and my family's life for nearly a quarter of a century.
"I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories and it's just that acting has always been my first love and I think the thing I'm best at, and at the moment I'm having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way.
"I'm grabbing them by the you know whats and running with it for this new chapter of my life."
The Waterloo Road actress has been in high demand, with five shows released this year in as many months.
Her recent credits include the upcoming titles Forever Home, Stepping Up and Benidorm Is Murder.
She thanked viewers and colleagues for their support over the years and promised to stay in touch with her Loose Women friends.
Ms Welch said: "I'll miss everybody but I will remain friends with the whole gang because we are a happy band of campers.
"Anyway, lots of love, thanks for sticking with me."
A spokesperson for Loose Women praised her long-standing contribution to the show and wished her well.
The spokesperson said: "Denise has been such a brilliant part of the Loose Women family and we are going to miss her hugely on the show.
"We are sending her all of our love and best wishes for her next chapter."
Denise Welch on claims of 'toxic' environment at Loose Women
Recently, Ms Welch responded to claims of a "toxic" environment behind the scenes at Loose Women.
She rejected the allegations in an interview with Woman's Own magazine.
Ms Welch said: I've been doing that show on and off for 24 years with a seven-year gap, I have never had one argument or cross word – and I swear on my kids – in all that time.
"I'm 68, I would not be working somewhere that I don't need to work at – a toxic environment, life is too short."
She acknowledged that the show features strong personalities and heated debates, but said disagreements never carry on off camera.
Ms Welch said: "We have got big personalities – me and Kaye Adams, me and Carol McGiffin when she was on, we'd have some humdingers on the set, but we never carry it off, we have a laugh and a gossip.
"I go in, in the morning, into the meeting, and say, 'You'll never guess what's happened!'"
Will you be sad to see the departure of Denise Welch from Loose Women? Let us know in the comments.
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