Denise Welch's husband Lincoln Townley is being lined up for a stint on 'Hollyoaks' as a body double for her on-screen "hunky lover" - to enable the characters to kiss amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Denise Welch
The 'Loose Women' panellist recently joined the Channel 4 soap as Trish - the mum of Nikki Sanderson's character Maxine Minniver - and while her alter-ego has already been given an on-screen boyfriend who is "very easy on the eye", they cannot share a smooch or embrace due to Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.
However, 'Oaks' bosses have already made a wig for the guy's wife to be a stand-in for Denise, and Lincoln has been hitting the gym in preparation for being a body double for Trish's significant other.
Speaking about her character, Denise said: "I have a hunky lover, but I can't say who it is yet.
"Here's me being 62 thinking, 'They'll find somebody who was in 'Dad's Army' who is about 120 for me.'
"But no, I've got someone very, very easy on the eye.
"He’s not a husband yet, he’s a boyfriend."
When asked if she can touch the mystery man, Denise replied: "No, because of Covid filming restrictions, which are really frustrating.
"My character is meant to be a bit of a goer. Go figure.
"But I like that they’re writing for a woman of my age who is still quite active in that department, even though he's a bit of a bad boy.
"But no, so you have to do it all with these seductive looks.
"They have said there may be a time when they will call Lincoln in if I have to actually do a kiss.
"They've already got the wig ready for when the actor's wife comes in, even though she's probably about three stone and like a supermodel.
"But Lincoln is already at the gym in case he has to come in and be my hunk. But he is my hunk!"
Denise is enjoying her time in the fictional Cheshire village, and is pleased to see so many familiar faces among the cast.
Speaking on 'Loose Women,' she added: "It's been lovely. I haven't been so welcomed so much anywhere for so long as I have been by the 'Hollyoaks' gang.
"And it's lovely, because being so old I know lots of people. Nikki Sanderson - who is playing my daughter - I did 'Corrie' with, our very own Kelle [Bryan], Jennifer Metcalfe, Kieron Richardson - all these different people."
Trish will first appear on screen in January 2021.
Tagged in Denise Welch