Loose Women's Denise Welch supported by rarely-seen son as she's seen in tears over reunion with life-saving nurse

Denise Welch was seen being reduced to tears after she visited the hospital where her son was treated as a baby and found herself being reconnected with the nurse who cared for him more than 20 years ago.

The Loose Women star was seen alongside Louis, 23, during a visit to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. She was invited by the fundraising team there to see how things are progressing with a new 22-bed neonatal ward that will open next October and include a room for parents and siblings to stay in.

In her video, Denise wiped away a tear and said: "We’re at Alder Hey Hospital and I am already getting emotional. We are in the neonatal unit, and a lot of you know that Louis, when he was young, had Hirschsprung Disease. He’s now a fit and healthy 23 year old, and we’ve come back to the unit that looked after him and we’ve just bumped into Anne, who was one of the nurses that cared for him 23 years ago."

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Unable to hold back her tears, the 63-year-old continued: "I owe my kid’s life to this hospital so it’s just lovely to come back and to see Anne is just so special because they are the most wonderful team of people."

Alongside her post, Denise explained that Louis was born with Hirschsprung Disease, a condition where part of the bowel doesn’t form. She wrote: "Before 1948 he wouldn't have survived. Thankfully Louis was treated at the wonderful Alder Hey hospital where they saved his life with surgery age 6 weeks."

She continued: "At 20 months he was rushed back there and went straight to the top of the emergency surgery list. Mothers instinct had kicked in and they told me that 2 hours later if would have been a different story as he had adhesions which can be devastating. Again, the brilliant team operated for 5 hours and the care he received by them and the neo-natal team I will never ever forget. Louis is now a healthy 23yr old.

"We were both invited by Jennifer and Alan on the fundraising team @alderhey_inspired to go and see what's happening at the hospital. A new neo-natal ward with 22 beds and room for parents and siblings to stay opens next October. When we were on the original ward meeting some of the tiny babies and their families with Jennifer and Donna, I turned around and burst into tears as I saw Anne, Louis' nurse from 2001 who is still there!! Such an emotional day spent with wonderful people #alderhey #childrenshospital."

And her fans and followers were quick to respond as they were left emotional by the update. @robbers_in_a_foreign_language said:" Wasn't emotionally prepared for this." @the1975_greatestbandintheworld said: "Awwww Denise. This is beautiful."

@tishtashlondon commented: "This is just beautiful." @anki291087 wrote: "That brings me to tears. All the best to you and your family." @harris9266 replied: "How emotional and lovely to go back and see what is being done now and with your son too." @_bespoketraveller posted: "Aww that's so lovely and amazing to hear the unit is doing so well."

@matty_heal_me shared: "Bless your family Denise! I’m so happy that Louis is now a healthy adult!!!" @juliebyrne1967 typed: "Beautiful post @denise_welch." @rebecca.shipway.1410 added: "That's such a lovely story that you got to see Ann his nurse again after all this time. I'm glad that Louis is now fit and healthy."