Beloved Loose Women panelist, acclaimed actress and mental health advocate Denise Welch has faced her fair share of life’s battles. While she has been open about her struggle with depression and alcohol addiction in the past, there is another challenge she hasn’t talked much about: her secret struggle with numbers, which once led her to financial difficulties.

Now, as an ambassador for National Numeracy, Denise is tackling this issue head-on and wants to encourage others by sharing her own experience. The star emphasizes two main points: first, if you are struggling, it does not mean you are “thick”; and secondly, assistance is available.

Denise, 66, is now thriving in her career and personal life, enjoying a remarkable recovery from a serious mental health breakdown in 2019 and feeling better than ever.

Talking to OK! sh magazine said, “If I could suppress how I feel now, I’d be a billionaire,” acknowledging her long-standing claims about the origins of her mental health problems. “I always knew that the origin of my illness was hormonal, probably caused by childbirth; it took 20 years for someone to accept that. I have been shouting from the rooftops about our mental health since 1991.

“In 2019, I had what we used to call a ‘breakdown’: my hands tingle, the color disappears from my life, I can feel it coming. And I decided for the first time to chronicle that episode, in real time. I did “Exactly that for three days and when I got out of bed days later, it had gone viral. It had even been on News At 10. It resonated.”

That harrowing experience led Denise to write her book, The Unwelcome Visitor, and since its publication, she feels there has been a significant change, particularly after becoming postmenopausal: “I haven’t had an episode since. I never, ever say that.” disappeared.” All I know is that, for the first time in 35 years, I don’t wake up scared about my illness. I don’t wake up with a subconscious fear, the constant narrative: “Just do it.” Do I feel okay? Shit, today is dark, how is that going to affect me…? That’s over.”

Denise also gushes about her husband Lincoln, her rock for the past 11 years. Although it sounds “cheesy”, at 51 years old, she considers it the “basis” of her existence: “I feel very lucky to have met him later in life. He is my best friend, we make us laugh and we support each other “. . The only thing I can thank alcohol for is that we met at a club late at night.”

Denise Welch spoke candidly about her personal triumphs and family joys, and revealed how she and her husband Lincoln Townley conquered adversity together, reports. OK!.

She said: “We got through all the negative press we got, the loss of my mother early in our relationship might have made me go back to drinking, but with Lincoln’s strength it didn’t. We live a life we ​​love. Life “It’s good. I’m filming two new TV shows right now. “I have a beautiful family, including my grandson Lincoln and I are hosts for each other.”

A Loose Women regular and active actress, Denise is known for her candid opinions and emotional moments about her grandson. She attributes her long presence on the show to the love and respect she receives from the team.

Denise believes her personal growth has been significantly influenced by her time on air. “Honestly, Loose Women has helped me get through the good, the bad and the very ugly, and now the good again. I am so grateful for the platform it has given me. Not many older women have a voice – this is one of the only shows in the country that revere them. We have women from 24 to 84 years old: where else do you get those opinions and life experiences?

As well as working on two confidential TV projects, former Corrie star Denise has been named the new ambassador for National Numeracy. This cause resonates deeply with her, as she has always struggled with numbers.

The charity approached Denise after seeing her talk about her numerical struggles on Loose Women. “I’m not an authority, I’m just sharing my own experience,” he admits.

“I have always been terrified of math and numbers. They have plagued my life, my normal life. They scare me to this day and they get me into very difficult situations with money. I am very convinced that National Numeracy is trying to take the ‘ afraid of math, so if I can help by sharing my story, I will.”

Denise’s difficulties began in the classroom. As a child, she was a “speed reading champion” and passionate about English, but math terrified her. She remembers that seeing double math on her schedule made her “go vomit in the bathroom, just thinking about it.” Denise also had an unkind teacher who, she said, “took advantage of those who were vulnerable.”

“I hated it. My dad found numbers easy, so he wasn’t forceful, but I remember him saying, ‘Denise, if X is equal to Z, how can you not see it?’ It felt like someone was speaking a language. “But these things weren’t talked about back then. I lost a lovely job in a pub when I was 18 because we had to do mental calculations. They wanted me, but I was too late at the checkout, so they had to let me go.”

As she grew up and entered show business, Denise only appeared on game shows where she was not asked anything mathematical. His fear of numbers began to affect his life. She said: “There were mortgages, taxes, bills. I got into trouble early in my career, burying my head in the sand.”

The television star confessed that she is fortunate to have support to face her personal problems. She spoke candidly about the shame of the past, but is now urging others to seek guidance and stresses that support is available.

“Contact National Numeracy and they will help you with the basic skills,” he advises. “Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good with numbers, because trust me, it’s not just you! And that doesn’t mean you’re not incredibly smart, which is what I used to think. Ask for help, because those bills won’t go away, they’ll just go away. will accumulate.”

Successful both professionally and within her family, Denise has confidently confronted her previous source of stigma. Radiant with positivity, she shares: “I’m happy. Life is good!” and reflects, “Isn’t that all anyone can ask for?”