FRESH from a Mediterranean sunshine break, actress Denise Welch arrived in Bolton beaming with health and happiness earlier this week.

The former Loose Women panellist is rehearsing at the Octagon Theatre for a starring role in a world premiere play by Farnworth writer Jim Cartwright.

Later this month, she will take to the stage in The Ancient Secret of Youth and the Five Tibetans, playing one half of a couple struggling with growing older.

While 56-year-old Denise says she can relate to her character in many ways, she is very much enjoying being in her 50s.

She said: I actually enjoy lots of things about being in my 50s.

"It's for many reasons but I do have the same insecurities as lots of women of my age do.

"I can relate to Penny on some levels but not all of them."

With a twinkle in her eye, she added: "One of the reasons why I enjoy my 50s more than maybe some people is because I'm married to someone 15 years younger."

The mother-of-two, who will celebrate her 57th birthday while working at the Octagon, tied the knot with artist Lincoln Townley, aged 42, in 2013.

Denise, who has suffered with alcohol addiction and drug problems, is also in a good place health-wise after quitting booze and shedding two stone in weight on the LighterLife programme.

She said: "I don't drink anymore, I don't smoke — I'm like Sandra Dee, put a little halo on my head.

"When I gave up drinking three years ago — that will be another landmark I celebrate here — I replaced alcohol with food and I could see the same addictive pattern happening again."

Denise is also open about the crippling depression she has suffered and, as an ambassador for mental health charity Mind, works to fight stigma and discrimination.

In recent weeks, she has found herself speaking out against former Apprentice contestant and controversial columnist Katie Hopkins who made light of depression in a series of Twitter posts.

She wrote: "People with depression do not need a doctor and a bottle of something that rattles. They need a pair of running shoes and fresh air."

Denise, who spent three years playing Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street, said: "Katie Hopkins is, sadly, not going away at the moment.

"She is entitled to say what she wants to but when she starts dismissing an illness as severe as clinical depression and anxiety when she has no experience of it, clearly.

"The amount of people that she has upset, who have come to me because they know I'm an ambassador for Mind, it's absolutely unforgivable and I think it's shameful that magazines and newspapers are giving her a voice."

Describing the Twitter furore as having a 'toxic' affect on her life, she added: "I don't want to sound like I'm some miss goody two shoes, I've made my mistakes and, no doubt, whatever I say someone will get a picture from Big Brother."

In 2012, Denise appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and was criticised for frolicking topless in the hot-tub which she said was "a bit of a giggle" while in the house but she does regret.

She said: "The only person I hurt was myself.

"When I came out, it was like I was the worst person in the entire world."

Even though she was crowned winner of the series, she found her career on a certain path and made a conscious decision to keep her head down for a while.

She said: "In this industry, your career takes certain twists and turns and mine went down the celebrity avenue for a while because of Loose Women that I did, and enjoyed in the glory days."

The Ancient Secret of Youth and the Five Tibetans will see her back on the theatre stage for the first time in two years and more than 10 years after appearing The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

She said: "I'm excited about it.

"I did Jim Cartwright's Little Voice at the Royal Exchange in Manchester in 2004 and had a big success with it — I won a best actress award.

"It was a big deal because I hadn't done theatre for years and was absolutely terrified of going back.

"Since then, one of the questions I get asked is, 'is there a particular role I would like to play?'

"I've said many times, I would love to do a new Jim Cartwright play — now I am."

Appearing alongside former Emmerdale actor Tom Mannion and Eric Potts, who was also in Coronation Street, the three friends of 40 years find an ancient book that claims to offer the secret of youth.

What words of wisdom would Denise give to her younger self?

She said: "Savour every minute. Don't wish it away, it starts to go very quickly."

And what about advice for her two sons with ex-husband Tim Healy — Matthew and Louis?

She quips: "Do as I say, not as I do."

Eldest son Matthew — a singer and guitarist with successful indie rock band The 1975 — will visit the Octagon to see the play before jetting off to Los Angeles to record the band's second album.

Denise recently finished filming new BBC Two drama Boy Meets Girl, the first sitcom to star a transgender actor, Rebecca Root, as Judy who strikes up a relationship with Denise's character's son.

She said: "It will be quite groundbreaking and we're very pleased with it."

The Ancient Secret of Youth and the Five Tibetans is at the Octagon Theatre from April 30 to May 23.