Loose Women legend joining Waterloo Road as she returns to actress roots

SOAP veteran Denise Welch is going back to school by reprising her role on Waterloo Road.

The Loose Women star is set to make a triumphant return to the BBC One show, which she was on from 2006 to 2010 playing French teacher Steph Haydock.

The character pinballed around several roles at the school before eventually leaving under a cloud after making false misconduct allegations to rake in funds.

A BBC insider said: “Waterloo Road fans love a comeback, particularly when it is someone of Denise’s calibre.

“The character is certainly one which will live long in the memory of devotees, and it’s an absolute no brainer to have her return.”

Before Waterloo Road, Denise had shot to fame playing Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street from 1997 to 2000, who is best remembered for having an affair with Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell.

And since then she has gone on to star in almost all of the big soaps.

After leaving Waterloo Road she took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2012, which she won.

She headed back to soapland in 2016 when she had a cameo on the BBC’s EastEnders as Alison Slater, the secret stepmother of Stacey Slater, and added Channel 4’s Hollyoaks to her soap CV by playing Trish Minniver from 2021 to 2022.

More recently she has become known for being mum to The 1975’s lead singer Matty Healy, as well as for her regular stints on Loose Women.

But if Denise was determined to go back to TV acting, why not just get a role on Emmerdale, then she would have the full set?

The BBC declined to comment.

Party girl Alex

FOOTBALLER turned presenter Alex Scott is looking cool as she gets ready to party.

She shook off a row over viewing figures for her BBC show Football Focus to celebrate her upcoming 40th birthday.

Wearing shades and thigh-high leather boots to pose for Hunger magazine, Alex said: “There’s been too many points in my life where I’ve kind of been that person who wants [their birthday] to go under the radar.

“Now, I’m like, let’s celebrate it. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

I’ll cheers to that, Alex.

Kath in drug flight

KATHERINE KELLY will lead the cast of a thrilling new crime drama.

The Mr Bates vs The Post Office actress plays flight attendant Jo, who is blackmailed into smuggling drugs to keep her imprisoned son alive in upcoming series In Flight.

The six episodes will follow the cabin crew member’s journey through the murky underworld of hired killers and corrupt cops as she attempts to protect her son, who is serving time abroad.

She will be joined by Rebel Moon’s Stuart Martin as criminal gang member Cormac and Them actor Ashley Thomas as customs officer Dom.

Katherine said: “I am really excited to be taking on the role of Jo and I can’t wait to tell her compelling story.”

The series is expected to air on Channel 4 in 2025.

TENNIS star Andy Murray's mum JUDY will open up about her cringe teenage antics on Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains on Novem-ber 25.

She will be joined by comedians David O’Doherty and Sukh Kaur Ojla to battle it out to be crowned the most embarrassing adolescent.