‘I worked on Loose Women and there’s one role away from show Denise Welch is destined for’

Loose Women panelist Denise Welch would be very well suited to another career away from the ITV show, according to a pal and former colleague of the Geordie actress

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Lee Peart praised Denise Welch(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Denise Welch is known for her no-nonsense approach on Loose Women. But if she stepped away from the panel, there is a role she would be perfect for, according to a former co-worker on the popular ITV show.

Comedian Lee Peart worked as the studio warm-up act for the panel for eight years and grew very close with the stars – so much so he is currently on tour with Judi Love. But it’s the Geordie former actress that Lee thinks could have a huge career away from daytime television if she wanted to.

She has already made her name in showbiz with a successful stint on Coronation Street as Natalie Barnes, followed by spells on both Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks. She’s even turned her hand to music as she released a Christmas song last year.

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Lee Peart praised the Loose Women team(Image: Getty Images)

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Lee thinks Denise would be great at stand-up comedy(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

But Lee believes away from the small screen, Denise would be ideal for a spot on the stand-up comedy scene. Speaking to the Mirror, funnyman Lee said: “The thing with Denise is that woman can tell a story. Oh, my God, she is a raconteur.

“I would love to see Denise Welch do stand up, because honestly, she tells a story, she weaves it through. She’s a true thespian. I adore her. She gets a lot of stick as well, because she speaks her mind and that can be divisive to people, but I adore her. I just think she’s so fab. And no one can tell a story quite like Denise.”

After leaving his Loose Women gig following the show’s restructure earlier in the year, Lee joked that he would love to say the group was full of drama during his time with them. But he admitted they all get on, despite what reports suggest. And he also praised them for their work ethic.

Now, Lee is creating a podcast with his close friend Alan Carr, titled Bottoms Up! “We’ve been friends for a long time,” Lee said. The project is labelled as ‘wine, gossip and chaos’ and Lee revealed it was a “passion project” for the pair. It sees them head to location to conduct chats with famous faces.

“We’re thrilled with how it’s gone,” he gushed. “And, I mean, it’s just such a laugh. I think Alan Carr is the funniest man alive. He is just so quick, just so fun.

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Lee and pal Alan Carr have launched the successful Bottoms Up! podcast(Image: Bottoms Up!/Youtube)

“But I like to think that I kind of steady the ship sometimes, because otherwise it’s just chaos. We’re absolutely chaotic in the best way possible. So we just tried to make it as accessible as possible, taking the snobbery out of wine. But also, you know, we’re doing cocktails, we’ve brought some cider in and we’re doing non alcoholic too.”

As well as the podcast, his comedy career is continuing to grow and he praised Judi Love and her audience for the support he’s received on the current tour. “She’s just so fun, and she’s just so naturally funny, and her audience is brilliant.

“They just want to come out. Have fun, have a laugh. Forget about the world for an hour or two and it’s great, so I’m really enjoying it.”