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Loose Women Denise Welch's 'rough' reason for absence as she fights back tears

Loose Women panelist Denise Welch was visibly emotional as she opened up about her recent absence from the ITV show as she turned to her friends and co-stars for support

Loose Women's Denise Welch has courageously opened up about her recent absence.

The presenter explained her battle with her mental health, confessing to a tough fortnight of depression. Speaking candidly on the show, Denise explained: "Yeah, so I had a really rough two weeks, which I'm still in a bit."

"I just did a podcast and a big article saying how I've been free for five years of clinical depression. Sadly, the unwelcome visitor paid me another visit, so I've not been well for a couple of weeks."

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She made an appearance on Loose Women to discuss her need for time to heal: "I just wanted to come on here because what I need when I'm poorly, I need for my friends to just know that I need time to get well."

[Denise opened up on the Loose Women panel]

Denise opened up on the Loose Women panel(Image: ITV)

Denise told the panel about requiring the flexibility to return to her role on her own terms, demonstrating why she was missing from the previous week's broadcast, according to The Mirror. She added: "When Janet returned it was up to Janet to say, 'I've had hip surgery I feel well enough to come back'. It's up to me to know when I'm well enough to come back."

Highlighting the unpredictable nature of her condition, Denise said: "The only thing that people will relate to if they have depression is, I've been free of the morning fear for a long time. I can be ok today, but then tomorrow, I can be absolutely terrible, and it's isolating," reports OK!.

[She turned to her co-stars for support]

She turned to her co-stars for support(Image: ITV)

Lastly, Denise put a finer point on the difference between sadness and depression, pointing out the complexity of the latter versus the former, which can stem from specific events. Denise opened up, saying: "Depression does exactly what it says on the tin, it depresses every single emotion. So you feel a flatness to things you usually get emotional or have feelings about, it robs you of that."

As the chat wrapped up, Denise thanked her Loose Women pals for their support, sharing that heading into work has been her saving grace in these tough times. The audience gave her a massive round of applause for her honesty, leading Janet Street-Porter to give her a big bear hug.

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