![\"Loose](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Denise-Welch.jpg\")
Loose Women star Denise Welch’s huge return to iconic soap role after 15 years(Image: GettyImages)<\/p>\nLoose Women panellist Denise Welch announced her return to Waterloo Road, 15 years after she played Steph HaydockLoose Women star Denise Welch’s huge return to iconic soap role after 15 years(Image: GettyImages)<\/p>\n
Loose Women<\/a> panellist Denise Welch<\/a> has dusted off her acting boots as she announced her return to an iconic soap role after 15 years. The 67-year-old actress will be back<\/a> as Head of French, Steph Haydock, on Waterloo Road but, this time, she will be brought in as a supply teacher.<\/p>\n Denise said of her return: “I\u2019m thrilled to see the return of Steph to Waterloo Road. 15 years older, but certainly not wiser. She\u2019ll soon show that time has certainly not dulled her shine! Still unmarried but eternally hopeful, Steph is back as a supply teacher.<\/p>\n “What she is supplying remains to be seen, but I am having a great time stepping back into the shoes of a character I love.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s also been great to reunite with some of my old castmates, like Jason Merrells.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: Nicola McLean left bedbound by weight loss jabs after trying to combat vile trolling<\/a>READ MORE: Big Brother fans finally ‘work out’ Elsa’s game plan after love admission<\/a> She added: “Steph and Jack go back a long way, but will they move forward?! You\u2019ll have to wait and see.”<\/p>\n Executive producer for Waterloo Road, Cameron Roach, said: “Steph Haydock is a Waterloo Road icon, so we knew we had to find the right story if we were to see her back in our world<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were thrilled that Denise enjoyed our pitch and that the fans will get to see Steph once more \u2013 her one-liners are just as sharp, her lipstick is fiercely drawn, and the staff room atmosphere is changed for good.<\/p>\n “Neil Guthrie has met his match. We can\u2019t wait for the fans to see her episodes.”<\/p>\n Denise appeared on the hit BBC<\/a> series from 2006 to 2010 playing lingual expert Steph Haydock. The series was pulled off the air in 2015 after the conclusion of the 10th season of the show. But it was then revived in 2023.<\/p>\n The star previously spoke about her desire to return<\/a> to her roots, telling OK!: “I\u2019m on television because I\u2019m gobby and opinionated, and I think people can forget what I really do, and what I\u2019m really good at.<\/p>\n “So I\u2019m going to make a concerted effort to go back to what I do and know.”<\/p>\n As well as her regular Loose Women appearances, Denise has also had a number of high-profile roles on some of the country’s best loved soaps, including playing Rovers’ landlady Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street<\/a> in more than 480 episodes between 1997 and 2000.<\/p>\n Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok<\/a>, Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE: ‘Best’ Charlotte Tilbury product sells \u2018one a minute\u2019 and is \u2018brilliant for mature skin\u2019<\/a>READ MORE: Best value pre-lit Christmas trees to invest in now\u2013 and that can save households \u00a3875<\/a>![\"Janeece](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_CP9118789.jpg\")
Denise is making a return to the show(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Denise](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Denise-Welch-fans-left-baffled-as-she-adopts-new-accent-on-US-talkshow.jpg\")
The star played Steph Haydock from 2006 to 2010(Image: Bravo)<\/p>\n