Denise Welch's week is going from bad to worse. Following her marriage split announcement on Monday's Loose Women - the star has called in police after a Twitter user urged her to kill herself.
Denise has been the target of a string of cruel taunts on Twitter, with one user sending particularly hateful messages after the actress addressed rumours she'd been cheating on her husband Tim Healy with party planner Lincoln Townley. She broke down in tears on the show as she made the revelations, but clearly some viewers did not feel sorry for the forlorn star.
They stated: "Hope Tim Healy gets paternity test and Denise Welch slits her wrists the disgusting w**re pig.
"Charity work my a**e. Hope your kids euthanise you in a yr or two. So glad all the s**t on Denise Welch has hit the papers. What a scummy bully s**g.
"So disgusting the carry on of Denise Welch on Loose Women and her pride in affairs and drunken behaviour. She's no role model... That Denise is human waste."
Denise admitted the messages had taken their toll on her, posting in the early hours of Tuesday morning: "Can't sleep after strange day! Thank you for your loyalty and love. Makes the haters easier to deal with."
But she has now revealed police have been contacted to investigate the online taunts.
Denise sent a message to the user declaring: "Please stop being horrible to people you don't know. You'll be much happier.
"By the way, my work have reported you to the police and they've traced you. Have a good day."
Speaking to The Mirror, she adds: "It's a shame that just a few horrible and evil faceless tweeters write such vile things. I'm made of stern stuff so I will be fine."
The 53-year-old is now taking some much needed time off from her work commitments to recharge her batteries, ahead of tackling a role in a touring production of Steel Magnolias beginning in April.
A source explains: "Denise has seemed tired and emotional all week so it is best for her to spend time with her family and have a break from it all. She has a big year ahead career-wise."
CELEB PICS OF THE DAY