Loose Women's Denise Welch 'overwhelmed' over response to sobriety pics to mark milestone after stunning in mini skirt

Denise Welch has said she has been 'overwhelmed' by the response as she was flooded with support and praise over her latest milestone. The Loose Women star took to Instagram as she marked 11 years sober.

She shared two pictures - one before she quit alcohol while the second was taken more recently - side by side on social media as she reflected on her alcohol-free journey alongside her husband Lincoln Townley over the last decade. "11 yrs sober today!!! Giving up my disastrous relationship with alcohol changed my life, my husband's life and my children’s lives. Plus the lives of all who love me," she started the caption of the post.

Denise went on to tell her followers: "It wasn’t easy. Addiction is a cruel and frightening illness. But together @lincolntownley and I realised that we were destroying many lives including our own and we did it. I now have a wonderful marriage that is the foundation of my life.

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"Our kids are happy and I hope those of you struggling find the strength to stop. If alcohol no longer makes you happy, if your drinking makes others lives miserable it’s time to stop. There is help there if you need it." Responding to the post, Lincoln said: "The most INCREDIBLY strong, big hearted woman I’ve ever met, I adore you

Former Liberty X star Michelle Heaton, who has opened up about her own battle with drink and drugs, was also among the first to respond, writing: "Yes my super star friend !! Xx I’m 2 years next week." Mark Adderley, the husband of Denise's ITV co-star Nadia Sawalha said: "DENISE THIS IS F*****G FANTASTIC NEWS AND AN ASTONISHING ACHIEVEMENT - I LOVE THE WAY YOU HAVE CONTINUED TO BE A SPARK OF JOY AND EXCITEMENT