Denise has starred in many TV roles including Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street where she eventually became landlady of the famous Rovers Return, Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road, Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks as well as starring roles in Spender, Soldier Soldier and much more. Most recently Denise is on our screens as a long-standing presenter on Loose Women. Northern Businesswoman editor-in-chief Gill Laidler recently caught up with Denise to find out more of this much-loved actor.
Growing up Denise attended school in Whitley Bay and Newcastle before the family moved to County Durham at the age of 13 which took her to Consett Grammar School. “I wasn’t particularly academic, in fact, I would probably describe myself as academically lazy,” she said, “but a light went on in my head when I auditioned for a part in the school play, a production of Finian’s Rainbow, I got the part and as they say, the rest is history.”
“The acting bug had captured Denise and at the age of 17, she contemplated going to teacher training college, but her drama teacher suggested she apply to drama school in London. “My application was successful, and I headed off to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts where I graduated in 1979,
I loved every minute of it, but it was hard with no financial support.
One of Denise’s first professional roles was performing on stage in Yakkety-Yak with the McGann brothers, later joining the Live Theatre Company in Newcastle where she featured in many productions, before heading to Haymarket Theatre in Leicester to star in the musical Greece.
“My first role in television was in the Tyne Tees production of Barriers in 1981 before going on to star in the hit drama Auf Wiedersehen Pet, where I acted alongside Tim Healy who I went on to marry, Byker Grove with Ant and Dec and BBC’s Spender with Jimmy Nail.”
Denise became a household name in 1993 when she was cast as Marsha Stubbs in ITV’s drama series Soldier Soldier. Owing to her success in the series, she realised a double-A sided single, Dusty Springfield’s ‘You don’t have to say you love me’ with ‘Cry me a river’ and despite Denise telling us she is an actress, just a singer who can ‘hold a tune’ the record reached number 23 in the UK singles chart.
In 1997 even wider notability called when Denise was cast as Natalie Barnes in the popular Coronation Street. “I was brought in as divorcee who quickly caught the eye of Kevin Webster played by Michael LeVell, who was married to Sally at the time, one of soaps long standing couples.”
However, during her time, as a not so respectable character early in the series she quickly gained the affection of the audience, became the landlady of the Rovers Return. Denise left the soap in 2000 as she was expecting her son and was looking forward to the prospect of spending time with her newborn son. Asked about her former co-star Helen Worth who plays Gail leaving the soap later this year she said, “Helen is a fabulous actor, she is one of Britain’s brilliant actresses who doesn’t get enough credit.
After time out with her son, it wasn’t long before Denise was back on our screens, guest starring in ITVs Where the Heart is and Holby City amongst a host of other well-known shows.
Denise also starred in just one episode of series four of Benidorm. “Despite just being in one episode, alongside my former husband Tim Healey who played Les / Lesley, fans often ask me when I am returning, believing I appeared in the programme more than I was. I played a character called Scary Mary who got herself into a fight with Madge played by Sheila Reid, Mary was a great fun character to play.”
Since then, Denise has played several high-profile television roles but Yorkshire Businesswoman magazine, sister publication to Northern Businesswoman originally caught up with her when she starred in Calendar Girls the Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre in 2018. “I love acting in both the theatre and TV equally, but my favourite ever role has to be the Rise and Fall of Little Voice that won several awards,” she told us.
Many will remember Denise, who has two sons Louis an actor and Matt, a member of the band The 1975, when she appeared on Dancing on Ice. “Oh that was incredible hard work, but so rewarding,” she told us. “Matt Evers and I managed to stay in until week seven which I was thrilled about.” When we asked Denise if she would ever go into the jungle she said “no, that’s not for me, I would be too scared of the trials!”
Although Denise now lives between Cheshire and London with her husband Lincoln, she maintains strong links with the Northeast and tries to get back to the area as often as possible. “I have links with the charity Children Northeast, a charity who support children living in poverty in the area. In the past year alone, the charity has supported almost 4,000 babies, children and young people and they have reached out to over 1000 families.”
We couldn’t close off the interview without commenting on Denise’s appearance, we think she looks amazing, complimenting her on her lovely skin and hair. “Well, I’ve not always looked so good,” she commented. “I am 12 years sober and not smoked for the last eleven years. But I have come out the other side and I am now loving life and feeling better than ever. Life is good.
