09:49 10 April 2012
Denise Welch has revealed that she wants to quit Loose Women.
The former Waterloo Road and Coronation Street actress has been a member of the panel show for 10 years, but is now struggling to balance the demands of her professional and personal lives.
Welch is currently starring in a country-wide theatre tour of Steel Magnolias.
She told the Sunday Mirror:
"I'm touring all around the country and then have to race back to the studio. I was already knackered trying to do them both before the tour even started and rehearsals were in London.
The Celebrity Big Brother winner also said she wants time to focus on her family, after separating from husband Tim Healy, revealing:
"Also, my boys are trying to adjust with Tim and I splitting up and I want to be there for them to keep an eye on them and make sure they are okay. I feel like I keep trying to juggle everything and I'm dropping things now and then. It's been really tough."
Adding that she plans to take the summer off from Loose Women, before deciding whether to return, she said:
"I've said after the tour is over I'm going to take a couple of months off to spend with my boys. I haven't done that in years and I think I'll deserve it by then. Then I'll see what happens after that and whether I'll go back. I love acting and I want to do more of it."