Saturday, 28 Jan 2012 09:18
Denise Welch has been crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2012
By Beth Curtis
Loose Woman panelist Denise Welch has beaten X Factor star Frankie Cocozza to the Celebrity Big Brother title.
The former Coronation Street actress, who has been taking part in the resurrected Channel 5 reality TV show for three weeks, reacted emotionally when she heard the result.
After bursting into tears and hugging runner-up Cocozza, who shot to fame after appearing on – and being kicked out of – The X Factor in 2011, Welch was greeted by cheers as she exited the house.
Speaking to presenter Brian Dowling, Welch said: "Honest to God, I don't think I've ever been as lost for words. I didn't know what to do - I didn't know whether to celebrate or get my t*** out."
She added: "I'm not going to be modest - it feels bloody brilliant!"
The 53-year-old, who beat contestants including glamour model Nicola McLean, former sister-in-law and mistress of Ryan Giggs, Natasha Giggs, and former Eastenders actress Natalie Cassidy, was embroiled in a number of controversies in the famous Big Brother compound.
Welch had a turbulent relationship with Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen, which led to several emotional confrontations, and was reprimanded after attempting to pull down Playboy model Karissa Shannon's pyjama bottoms during a house party.