Truth about Denise Welch as wild rumours circulate and Wikipedia edited

The Loose Women star and soap legend, 67, was reported to have died in a sick viral rumour that has gathered pace throughout the day.

Denise Welch has been the victim of a vile death hoax – and not for the first time. The Loose Women star and soap legend, 67, was reported to have died in a sick viral rumour that has gathered pace throughout the day. The Mirror can confirm that Denise is alive and well.

The star’s Wikipedia entry had even been edited to show that she died on 18 March 2026, today’s date, and another person had mocked up a Sky News report announcing that she had died in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Some people thought was real – though others pointed out the text was “not even centred properly”.

One angry poster wrote: “To start a rumour about someone’s death is sick. I hope Denise Welch is ok and this level of trolling is addressed on Loose Women. Absolutely disgusting behaviour. Clearly people are bored.”

READ MORE: Sharon Osbourne defends daughter Kelly over weight loss concernREAD MORE: Bonnie Blue charged with outraging public decency after Met Police probe

Another worried fan asked: “Can anyone confirm if the news about Denise Welch is actually true? I know there’s been hoaxes before but please say this isn’t true.” A third found it all a bit tiresome, writing: “why does something tragic happen to Denise Welch on this app at least once every six months?”

Denise has been the victim of death hoaxes before. She silenced one rumour in December 2023 when she told fans she was at home waiting for I’m A Celeb to come on. She wrote on X: “I’m alive and well and about to watch the jungle. Thanks for your concern.”

Another last year suggested she had died in a hot-air ballooning accident. In an Instagram post, Denise poked fun at the unverified report saying: “Thank goodness they found me!!!” She also retweeted a post reading: “Lady Gaga begins search for Denise Welch and the lost hot air balloon herself – ‘I am looking for Densy’.”

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Denise is a TV star and soap legend, having played Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street, Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road and Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks. She is a familiar face to ITV viewers thanks to her two long stints on the daytime show Loose Women.

She also appeared on Dancing On Ice and won the ninth series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. She has two sons, actor Louis and The 1975 star Matty.