Denise Welch

Age: 53

Occupation: Actress/TV presenter

Details: Denise Welch is an actress and television presenter whose career kick-started when she left London's Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 1979.

Although she has worked in theatre, Denise is probably best known for her career in television and has appeared in hit dramas such as Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Byker Grove, A Kind of Living and Spender.

In the early '90s, Denise became a household name as she took on the role of Marsha Stubbs in the drama series Soldier Soldier.

Following on from her success in this show, she turned to a music career and released a double-A side single, 'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me/Cry Me a River' which remained in the UK singles charts for three weeks.

Denise's success continued to grow as she was cast as Natalie Horrocks in Coronation Street. A popular character, Natalie rose to landlady the famous Rover's Return.

Since then, Denise has continued to guest star in shows including Where the Heart Is, Holby City, The Bill, Doctors, Down to Earth, Born and Bred and Hollyoaks, and is a firm favourite on British TV screens.

Most recently, Denise is known for her four-year-long role in the highly successful drama Waterloo Road.

She is also famed for her opinionated personality and for being a regular panellist on the topical chatshow Loose Women.

Denise is married to actor Tim Healy. They have two children.