Loose Women star Denise Welch has revealed that her relationship with artist husband Lincoln Townley has helped in her battle with alcohol and to focus on healthier living.
Denise, who married Lincoln in 2013 after a 24-year marriage to Benidorm star Tim Healy, said he has been her “anchor”.
(Hello!)
She told Hello! magazine: “We were party animals, two people in a mess, when we first met.
“My marriage was in freefall and I was drinking too much. Being with Lincoln could have been the most explosive disaster, but it went the opposite way. We’ve been each other’s anchor.”
Lincoln, 43, added: “We encouraged one another to pursue what matters most. As a couple we have positive energy constantly flowing through us.”
(Yui Mok/PA)
Denise, 58, said she was not concerned by their 15-year age gap, adding: “Lincoln keeps me young and his enthusiasm rubs off into my world. Some people joke that I’ve married my carer. But who knows what the future holds. Lincoln has always preferred older women anyway.”
Lincoln agreed, saying: “I’ve never met or loved anyone as much as I love Denise.”
Lincoln has recently embarked on a career as an artist for Hollywood stars including Sir Michael Caine and Al Pacino.
Michael Caine and wife Shakira (Ian West/PA)
His work commands six-figure sums and his clientele also includes Mickey Rourke, Nick Nolte, Gary Oldman, and Charlie and Martin Sheen.
The former Coronation Street star told the magazine the couple were invited to tea at Sir Michael’s London flat after her husband painted a portrait of Sir Michael’s wife Shakira.
She said: “The portrait of Michael was already on the wall, but Shakira wanted to place her picture next to his above the fireplace. Watching Lincoln and Michael hanging the two pictures was surreal.”
(Hello!)
Read the full interview in Hello! out now.
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