Denise Welch’s casting in the Belle plot prompts a very strong reaction among Emmerdale fans – and they are really not happy

The news that Denise Welch will be joining Emmerdale as part of Belle and Tom‘s abuse story has not gone down well with fans.

The year long story, which has seen Belle subjected to abuse by husband Tom, is thankfully coming to an end next month.

The conclusion will air in a special hour-long episode. However, fans are disappointed that Denise Welch will be part of it.
The Tom and Belle abuse story will soon come to an end (Credit: ITV)

Denise Welch to join Emmerdale

Loose Women panellist Denise Welch is no stranger to the world of soap. She has appeared in most of them in fact! Denise played Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street and Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks. She also had a guest stint in EastEnders as Alison Slater, as well as playing French teacher Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road.

It’s now been revealed that she’ll be appearing in Emmerdale. Speaking on Loose Women about the role, Denise said: “It’s a one-off one hour special and it’s the first time Emmerdale have ever done it. And for those of you who are fans of Emmerdale, there is a very powerful year-long story of domestic abuse. Which of course, appealed to me when I knew I’d be part of it because of [Loose Women’s domestic abuse campaign] Facing It Together, and this is a culmination of that story.

“So the episode takes place exclusively between the court and the jury and I am one of the head’s of the jury called Heidi.”

The special hour-long episode will highlight the real-life voices of domestic abuse victims and survivors. It will also feature Casualty star Charles Dale and Jack Ellis, who played Jim Fenner in Bad Girls. But it’s Denise’s casting that has prompted the strongest reaction.
Denise Welch will soon appear in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Fan reaction

Taking to the Emmerdale Insider Facebook page, fans of the show were quick to share their thoughts. And most expressed disappointment at the news. They accused the soap of “scraping the barrel”.

“What the hell do they want her in it for?” asked one fan. Another added: “Her voice is worse than Mandy’s.”

A third viewer wrote: “Hope not, she spoils everything she goes in.” A fourth echoed the sentiment and wrote: “She will spoil Emmerdale.”

Other fans threatened to stop watching the soap, with one saying: “Don’t make me stop watching something I have watched forever.” Others were straight to the point, simply writing, “Can’t stand her.”

Will she win Emmerdale fans round?

Read more: Is Tom leaving Emmerdale?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.