Denise Welch, 67, reveals she finally learned she had ADHD after a shock conversation with her Loose Women colleagues as star reveals the links between her diagnosis and her breakdown last year

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Denise Welch recently shared that she was diagnosed with ADHD after a fellow panelist on ‘Loose Women’ suggested she might have it. She also discussed her emotional breakdown from the previous year.

Sixty-seven-year-old actress, known for her roles in Coronation Street and Waterloo Road, recently revealed she has been diagnosed with ADHD in a new interview.

Denise revealed that her colleague Nadia Sawalha from ITV thought she and her children might have a neurodevelopmental condition.

She shared that the journey to her diagnosis started with a conversation among colleagues on Loose Women. Nadia Sawalha suspected she and her daughters might have ADHD, and mentioned to producer Sally that she was considering getting tested. Sally’s husband, Henry Shelford, is a leading expert in ADHD, which further prompted the discussion.

‘Sally said, “if we get you tested, would you be happy to be filmed and we’ll use it as a piece?”.

Denise said that she agreed ITV could use the footage ‘whatever the result’.

In an interview on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast, she explained that when discussing this with ADHD360, they mentioned Loose Women had around 20 presenters in total, with varying levels of involvement in the show. One of these presenters thought she might have ADHD.

Someone asked if it was Denise Welch. I was surprised and exclaimed, “What the…?” and the other women playfully urged her to admit it, saying, “Oh, come on, Den, oh, come on!”

Denise has publicly discussed her struggles with both alcoholism and depression, and she recently revealed she also experienced a mental breakdown.

She shared that after being diagnosed with ADHD, she’s finally finding the right medication on her second try. This came after a difficult period last year – her first breakdown in five years – which helped her understand just how much ADHD had been affecting her, alongside her depression. She realized she hadn’t fully appreciated the impact of ADHD before.

It’s possible that if I’d shown symptoms earlier, or if more resources had been dedicated to women’s health, the connection between ADHD and severe postpartum depression would have been recognized sooner.

Denise shared on the Loose Women podcast that an unwanted person had come back to bother her.

She said last year: ‘I’ve had a really tough two weeks, which I’m still in a bit.’

Denise explained that she’d recently shared her story in a podcast and article, talking about being free from clinical depression for five years. She expressed a hope that this positive change had occurred before she became pregnant, and wasn’t just a temporary effect.

‘But sadly the unwelcomed visitor paid me another visit.

I haven’t been feeling well for the past couple of weeks, which is why we’ve briefly mentioned it. We’re keen to encourage open conversations, similar to campaigns like ‘Britain Get Talking’ and the importance of simply talking things through.

‘Sometimes people still find it isn’t always good to talk for them.

I just wanted to share that when I’m sick, I really need my friends to understand I need some time to recover.

My coworkers and I have an understanding: if you’re able to come to work, great. If you’re not, that’s okay too – like last week when I stayed home because I knew my own health situation best.

Denise marked 13 years of being sober in April, sharing a heartfelt message on social media about the last time she had alcohol.

Turning her life around more than ten years ago has been incredibly rewarding, but she says the best part is that her sons – actor Louis, 24, and musician Matty Healy, 36 – are proud of her.

Today marks 13 years of sobriety for me, and it’s a milestone I think about often. I remember the day so clearly – I woke up, like so many times before, with a complete blank about the night before. It was a scary feeling, and honestly, a turning point. It’s something I share with my sons’ father, Tim Healey, as we both navigated that difficult time.

I was traveling with a big theatre production when I found out I had a long drive to Richmond followed by two performances. As I looked around, I noticed my boyfriend – now my husband – was watching me. He tossed a newspaper onto the bed.

I was photographed losing my temper – apparently yelling and gesturing at someone while leaning on a car. I don’t remember any of it. Also, at his apartment, someone had broken the bathroom door off its hinges, and a lamp was knocked over.

Denise went on to explain that Lincoln had been sober for two months. She admitted she’d downplayed her own struggles with alcohol, but she actually had a very serious problem. He had told her he loved her, but couldn’t continue living with the situation as it was.

Honestly, the idea of losing him completely broke me. I fell into a really dark place – I was so depressed, constantly anxious, and just utterly terrified. I was also mortified by how I’d been acting and felt so much shame. That night, I decided to stop drinking, and it’s truly been the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It completely changed my life.

I’m incredibly grateful, not only for my wonderful marriage, but also because our three children – including my son from a previous relationship – can grow up with the security of knowing we’re safe and happy. They deserve to not worry about where we’ll be or what our future holds.

How to Fail with Elizabeth Day is available wherever you get your podcasts 

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2025-10-22 03:11