Loose Women's Denise Welch breaks silence after ripping into guest over Meghan Markle

Denise Welch, a panellist on Loose Women, has broken her silence after she caused quite a stir when she fiercely defended Meghan Markle during a live broadcast. On Monday, May 6, Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III before his coronation last year, was in the studio discussing the monarch's cancer battle.

However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when Dickie broached the topic of the strained relationship between the monarch and his son, Prince Harry. Royal enthusiasts will remember that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan chose to step down from their roles as senior working royals for a new life in America. Since then, the Duchess of Sussex has faced even more criticism.

The couple first came under fire when rumours of their relationship began circulating in 2016. They have publicly denounced the negative media attention they've received both individually and as a couple, and as parents to their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

For Denise, Meghan and Harry's decision to leave Windsor and Frogmore Cottage was nothing short of logical. She passionately defended them, leading to a heated exchange with Dickie over his own criticism of Meghan. Although, despite receiving some criticism online following the clash, Denise has responded to some viewers on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"If I may say, do you not think there is a reason why Harry did such a thing? ", the 65-year-old initially asked, referring to the Duke's decision to leave the UK for the US.

Denise then summarised the heartbreak surrounding King Charles III's family, wounds first stemming from the monarch's marriage with Lady Diana "when he was in love with Camilla."

She then recalled how a young Prince Harry witnessed his mother's death after a fatal car chase with paparazzi before he was forced to walk publicly behind her coffin and accept Queen Camilla as his stepmother.

"Then he has a wife who is completely and continually trashed by the media, including your good self", Denise added while turning to Dickie, while some audience members began to applaud her. "I am just sick to death of the bashing that this woman gets (...) we continually berate this woman every day."

When Dickie argued that the Sussexes have received criticism over their choice to leave the Royal Family, Denise furiously doubled down: "Why would they not walk out? Why would they want to spend their life in a country that hated them? ".

Coleen Nolan quickly intervened to stop the situation from escalating, reminding the panellist that she hadn't expected a "debate" to take place in the studio.

But Denise continued to seethe as she added: "Don't have a guest on (...) I can say what I like!"

Many ITV viewers were truly stunned as they raced to X, previously known as Twitter, to voice their opinions. One individual commented: "Well done Denise, you wiped the floor with Dickie. Thank you for not being scared to be a voice for H@M."

Another concurred: "Makes me laugh that people are saying Denise isn't nice for standing up for Meghan and Harry, yet it's fine for so many "nice" people to have s****** them off for the past 6+ years". (sic) And a third cheered on the panellist, saying, "Well said Denise, you are the voice of fairness and reason."

Denise has since responded to some backlash online and the ITV star luckily saw the funny side.

In response to one fan who penned: "Good old Denise, surprised she can stay sober enough to be able to partake in a debate," Deni wrote: "12 yrs Dougie!! Keep up."

Another wrote: "I love how irate Jillian Clarey is getting! Does she know Meghan personally stupid fool?" Denise replied with several laughing-face emojis: "It's Julian."

Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.