Rovers Return landlady in Celebrity Big Brother House

Denise Welch, who played Rovers Return landlady Natalie Horrocks on Coronation Street, joined the Celebrity Big Brother House last night. 

Denise was the last to be announced as a housemate, Channel 5 obviously keeping their best housemate until last.

Wearing a full length (fake?) fur coat and plenty of make-up, Denise joined a house full of young and skinny glamour-models-dolly-birds I'd never heard of or seen before. 

Romeo from So Solid Crew hugged Denise when she entered the house, very happy to see her and told her his mum was one of her greatest fans. Fellow soap actor Natalie from EastEnders is also in the house and Denise said she was "very happy" that Natalie was there.

So just when it looked like Celebrity Big Brother was going to be another year of no-marks and wanna-bes, they go and throw in Denise Welch and it just might be worth watching after all.

Denise's husband Tim Healy also appeared in Coronation Street as Sean Tully's dad.

See also: Denise Welch's autobiography reveals a cocaine habit.

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Ex-Corrie couple honoured with celebration

Tim Healy, who played Sean Tully's dad on Coronation Street, and Denise Welch, who played Rovers Return barmaid Natalie Horrocks, are to be honoured in a celebration by the Variety Club at Newcastle’s Civic Centre on February 6th.

The event is open to everyone (who can afford the £50 ticket) and if you'd like to atend there are more details here.