Loose Women celebrated Coronation Street on Thursday as the daytime show welcomed an all-star line-up of soap actresses from over the years, including regular panellist Denise Welch

Loose Women hosted a Coronation Street special on Thursday (August 15) with Denise Welch, Sally Webster actress Sally Dynevor, and Eileen Grimshaw star Sue Cleaver joining presenter Kaye Adams on the panel.

The conversation soon turned to the Corrie stars reminiscing about their first day on set of the ITV soap with Denise opening up about an encounter with Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Fairclough.

Denise, 66, who played Weatherfield’s Natalie Barnes, said: “I remember being terrified when I had to do a scene with Rita, Barbara Knox, because Barbara is wonderful but she is like Dame Barbara, quite intimidating.

Denise, 66, who played Weatherfield’s Natalie Barnes, said: “I remember being terrified when I had to do a scene with Rita, Barbara Knox, because Barbara is wonderful but she is like Dame Barbara, quite intimidating.

Denise Welch has opened up about one particular ‘terrifying’ Corrie scene (Image: ITV)“I read the script and I’ve got to call Rita Fairclough a cow, and honestly it was the most terrifying thing. She was so lovely to me but it was weird because Coronation Street had been on my tele for years – from when I was six years old, it was so iconic and I loved it.”

She added: “But I did say to the producer you have got to get some kind of starter pack for the young ones come in because their lives are going to change with a month of being on television.

Denise as feisty Natalie Barnes on Corrie (Image: ITV)
“I didn’t feel some of them were looked after enough so we started to have somebody guide them around and show them, explain certain terms that were used and everything.”
.
Denise starred in Coronation Street as Natalie Barnes from 1997 to 2000. Her character was the feisty mother of Tony Horrocks (Lee Warburton), co-owner of MVB Motors, and she went on to become the landlady of the Rovers Return.

Loose Women hosted a Corrie special on Thursday (Image: ITV)
Speaking about her time on the show, Denise also touched upon her friendship with Sally as they have been “best friends” since appearing on Corrie together.

Denise added: “Sally came back and now we have been best friends for 25 years”, before Sue joked: “What am I chopped liver?”

“You came in a bit later,” Denise added, “and then became my other best friend”, as the panellists all broke out into laughter.

Loose Women continued their celebration of Coronation Street on Thursday as they welcomed a star-studded lineup of soap actresses to the show. Denise Welch, Sally Dynevor, and Sue Cleaver joined presenter Kaye Adams on the panel for a lively discussion about their time on the iconic ITV soap.

The conversation quickly turned to reminiscing about the actresses’ first days on the set of Coronation Street, with Denise sharing a particularly memorable encounter with Barbara Knox, who portrays Rita Fairclough on the show.

Denise revealed that she was initially terrified when she had to shoot a scene with Barbara, describing her as “wonderful but quite intimidating.”

Recalling the moment when her character had to call Rita a cow, Denise admitted that it was a nerve-wracking experience. Despite Barbara’s kindness towards her, Denise felt the weight of the show’s iconic status, having grown up watching it from a young age. She emphasized the importance of providing support for new cast members to help them navigate the challenges of sudden fame.

During her time on Coronation Street from 1997 to 2000, Denise played the role of Natalie Barnes, a formidable character who left a lasting impression on viewers. She shared that her bond with Sally Dynevor, who portrays Sally Webster on the show, has endured for over 25 years, highlighting the strong friendships that can develop in the world of television.

As the Loose Women panelists exchanged lighthearted banter about their friendships, it was evident that the bonds formed on the set of Coronation Street have lasted long beyond their on-screen appearances. The camaraderie and support among the actresses showcased the enduring legacy of the beloved soap opera.

Stay tuned for more insightful content and updates on your favorite shows, as we strive to provide you with valuable information and engaging stories. Join us on our journey to discover the fascinating world of television and entertainment.