Denise Welch

Jacqueline Denise Healy (née Welch; born 22 May 1958) is an English actress and television presenter. Welch was born in Ebchester, County Durham, to father Vin and mother Ann, nee Ridley. She attended Bygate School, Whitley Bay, La Sagesse, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Blackfyne Grammar School, Consett. She developed a penchant for acting at the age of 14, after she was cast in a school production of Finnegan’s Rainbow. At the age of 17, she contempl... more

Jacqueline Denise Healy (née Welch; born 22 May 1958) is an English actress and television presenter. Welch was born in Ebchester, County Durham, to father Vin and mother Ann, nee Ridley. She attended Bygate School, Whitley Bay, La Sagesse, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Blackfyne Grammar School, Consett. She developed a penchant for acting at the age of 14, after she was cast in a school production of Finnegan’s Rainbow. At the age of 17, she contemplated going to teacher training college when her father and drama teacher suggested she apply for the Mountview Theatre School in London. She was successful in her application, and remained at the school from 1976 to 1979, gaining her Equity Card while teaching dance at Watford Theatre. Welch became an actress straight after leaving school. She performed on stage in London in Yakkety-Yak with the McGann brothers at the Astoria Theatre in 1983, and later joined the Live Theatre Company, Newcastle, where she featured in many productions,... less