Loose Women's Denise Welch supported as she opens up on 'unwelcome visitor'

Loose Women's Denise Welch has opened up about her mental health battles on air today, November 20. The presenter bravely discussed her reason for being absent from the panel recently.

Denise said she has had a "really rough two weeks" and admitted she is still struggling. She told the studio audience and the other Loose Women that she recently done a podcast and article to celebrate being free of clinical depression for five years.

In an emotional announcement, Denise revealed: "The unwelcome visitor [depression] paid me another visit. So I've not been very well for a couple of weeks."

The Loose Women star continued: "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."

READ MORE: DWP issues urgent warning to millions who may receive a text message

READ MORE: ITV Emmerdale's Tracy Metcalfe star sends supportive message to famous sister in family update

The 66-year-old says when she is poorly she just wants her friends to know she needs time to get well. And opening up further about how depression has impacted her life, the former Waterloo Road actress said: "I can be okay today but then tomorrow I can be absolutely terrible and it's isolating."

Denise added: "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."

The Loose Women star thanked her fellow panellists for their support and spoke about how grateful she is for the people around her. In heart-warming scenes, Denise's co-star Janet Street-Porter rushed to show support by hugging her.