Under the microscope
Actress and Loose Women panellist Denise Welch, 65, answers our health quiz
CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?
YES, I find it easier than walking, although I’m out of breath at the top. I’m not as fit as I should be. I try to be disciplined but, like many people, I lapsed a bit over Christmas. I’m now in the same place for five weeks doing a play in Manchester, so I’ll be going to a gym. I’ve got a trainer lined up and I’ll be doing weights. But no cardio — I can’t bear that jumping up and down.
GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?
I TRY to but I’m not obsessive about it.
ANY VICES?
FISH and chips — and steak pie; I’m a Geordie. It used to be alcohol, but I gave up 12 years ago and it made a massive difference. I met a surgeon at a party not long afterwards and he said I’d effectively given myself a facelift. It was my love for my husband Lincoln [Townley, 51, a portrait painter] that encouraged me to quit.
We were both heavy drinkers and gave up together. We were frightened of losing each other so became each other’s anchor. I can’t think of anything worse than going back to those days.
EVER DIETED?
YES. When I gave up drinking I also stopped smoking, with the result being that I put on over 2 st because I became something of a food addict, devouring sweet things such as Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut and sticky toffee pudding. My body was craving sugar. I had my wedding coming up in 2013 so decided to do something about it [with Lighter Life, a meal replacement weight-loss plan]. I lost all the weight. Now I never get on the scales, I just judge my weight by what clothes I can fit into. I’m 5ft 4in and a size 12 on a good day.
EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?
WHEN I gave birth to Matthew [34, a singer/songwriter; she also has a younger son, Louis, 22, an actor], I got postnatal depression and then I had depressive episodes for the next 30 years. I take a low-dose antidepressant (duloxetine) — and I always will.
POP ANY PILLS?
AS WELL as duloxetine, I take HRT to help with my mental health issues. I had a series of tests when I was about 50, when my depression was particularly bad and my oestrogen levels were worryingly low. Since 2019, after a serious episode, my unwelcome visitor, as I call depression, has stayed away.
TRIED ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES?
NO, I need conventional medication to address my depression.
ANY PHOBIAS?
IT’S not a phobia exactly but I’m wary of water. I like to be in my depth in the swimming pool. I’d never put my head under water.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE?
THE play I’m doing at the moment — it’s a particularly demanding part — and anything to do with the health of the people I love.
LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?
NO. I can’t keep up with technology as it is!
■ Denise stars opposite Matthew Kelly in The Gap, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester (February 9 to March 9).