Denise Welch makes cocaine confession

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Denise Welch has confessed that she spent years using cocaine to balance her depression.

The 51-year old 'Loose Women' star admits that she used it heavily when she was acting on 'Coronation Street' as tart-with-a-heart Natalie Barnes, taking it in between scenes and meeting her dealer in dangerous side streets near to the set and on Manchester's Moss Side.

Suffering with mental health issues when she starred on the soap opera in the 1990s, Denise explains: "It was my lowest moment. I'd reached a point where I felt taking cocaine was the only way I could survive. I was suffering crippling depression and I had made myself believe coke was the only thing that could make me cope. In fact I was locked in a vicious circle because the more I took, the worse the comedowns would be. I was sinking deeper and deeper." She admits to filming scenes and driving her car while under the influence of drugs.

She says she's stayed away from cocaine "apart from the odd hiccup" since the birth of her second son Louis, and says she's nervous about how people will react to her confession. Do you feel differently about Denise? I just think it's a bit sad and tragic at her age, to be honest.

Image: ITV