Denise Welch turned heads as she performed It’s Raining Men with shirtless male dancers during a surprise appearance at Mighty Hoopla.
The Loose Women star, 68, brought a full-scale performance to the festival that quickly became one of Saturday’s standout moments.
She was joined by a troupe of male dancers, while she sizzled in a dramatic hot pink satin look before revealing a racy embellished bodysuit.
Speaking to the crowd, an emotional Denise said, ‘My late dad Vin was a heterosexual drag act in Whitley Bay, get your head around that.
‘And when I was at drama school, and all the other kids were being taken to McDonald’s, I was being taken to the Black Cab in Camden Town.
‘And I know things have taken a reverse turn, but believe you me, as an ally, we are going to fight to get things to where they should be.’
Following her performance, fans took to X to gush over the star, branding her an ‘icon’.
Denise Welch turned heads as she performed It’s Raining Men with shirtless male dancers during a surprise appearance at Mighty Hoopla on Saturday
The Loose Women star, 68, brought a full-scale performance to the festival that quickly became one of Saturday’s standout moments
They penned: ‘Denise you truly are an icon’, ‘Ohhh this is everything’, ‘Absolute Queen!! So wish I was there’, ‘You was sensational’, ‘A real national treasure’, ‘Denise, you are absolute magic. You just get better and better. There is NOTHING you can’t do.’
Reflecting on her performance on Monday’s Loose Women, Denise said: ‘It was an incredible experience. The vocals probably won’t win an award, but when I heard that crowd, I was off!.
‘It was [emotional]. I’ve always been an ally, as we all have. I was just watching an episode about when the gay community was… but anyway, it’s gone backwards.
‘I said a few words and it obviously had an impact, and it made me cry. It’s a community that has embraced us at Loose Women. I woke up at 5am fully clothed on my sofa!
‘Before, because of the old problems I have up here, I’ve sometimes ruined things like that. My nerves would go into panic mode, but this time they didn’t.’
Denise revealed what her son, The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, 37, and his fiancée model Gabbriette Bechtel, 28, thought of her appearance.
She added: ‘When I told Matty and Gabby I was doing a festival, I think they thought it was a little community event. He texted me saying, “BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP! It’s like Glastonbury!”
‘My dad, a friend of the show and a drag artist, loved the community. For him to have been there would have been so special. The gays loved my dad!
‘It was unforgettable. I got lovely comments from all you girls, and it was very special.’
It comes after Denise dropped a huge hint that she’s in talks for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 2026 celebrity line-up is yet to be announced following the BBC’s major shake-up of the hit show.
Speaking to the crowd, an emotional Denise said, ‘My late dad Vin was a heterosexual drag act in Whitley Bay, get your head around that’
Following her performance, the crowd took to X to gush over the star, branding her an ‘icon’
But as speculation continues to grow over who will compete in the new series, Denise was put on the spot while discussing whether she is securing a spot on the show this year.
When asked if she was in talks with Strictly, she told The Sun: ‘I’m pleading the fifth on that one. Bye!’
Strictly often casts people from the ITV talk show Loose Women, including past contestants like Kaye Adams, Ruth Langsford, and Judi Love.
Even though Denise Welch has hinted she may take part in a reality show, she also insisted that her focus remains on acting, with several upcoming projects in the pipeline.
‘It’s all exciting,’ she added.
The Daily Mail has contacted Denise’s reps for further comment.
Earlier this month, presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe were announced as the new hosts.
The unlikely trio will take over from outgoing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after they stepped down at the end of last year, following a rigorous audition process.
The news was confirmed on Strictly’s official Instagram page, with the trio coming together.
The caption read: ‘It’s official….September 2026.’
In the video, Emma and Johannes kissed each other on the cheek as they sat on stools, before Josh was invited over to join them.
‘It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly – I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years – so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend,’ said Emma of her new role.
‘It’s impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind – two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long.
‘I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.’
Earlier this month, presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe were announced as the new hosts of Strictly
She added: ‘I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!’
Josh, who is a fan of the show and competed as a contestant on the 2024 Christmas special, said he was ‘giddy with excitement’ to have won a presenting slot.
‘Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television,’ he said.
‘I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume.’
Johannes said that being given the opportunity to host was ‘beyond anything I ever imagined’.
He said the long-running show ‘has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness’, and he feels ‘deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward’.
He added: ‘To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready-sequins, nerves, and all…please bear with me.’
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