Denise Welch, the multifaceted entertainer known for her roles on television and stage, has released a new festive track titled Slayyy Bells. This hyper-pop anthem, a collaboration with Celebrations chocolate, aims to bring a fresh and vibrant energy to the holiday season.
In a recent interview, Welch, 67, shared insights about the inspiration behind the lively song while on a Zoom call from her vacation in Los Angeles. “I was thinking about what my kids would think,” she said. “Because embarrassing your kids is one of life’s great joys. It’s why we have them, let’s be honest.”
Welch’s new single opens with the line, “Listen up huns,” and sets the tone for a unique Christmas celebration. The song is packed with festive chaos and camp, reflecting her family traditions. Notably, she sings about her family’s Christmas Eve dinner, a custom inherited from her late mother. “We lost my mum 13 years ago, but we always had dinner and still do on Christmas Eve,” Welch explained. “We never knew why, but it really, really works.”
This tradition, which has Scandinavian roots, allows the family to enjoy Christmas Day without the stress of cooking. Welch humorously noted that her ex-husband, Tim Healy, and her current husband, Lincoln, handle the festive meals, allowing everyone to partake in the fun. “My sister comes out of pescatarianism for one day a year,” she remarked, referring to the family’s love for Healy’s signature ham.
Welch has gained a reputation not only as an actress but also as a cultural figure, often seen alongside prominent artists, including her son, Matty Healy, the lead singer of the band The 1975. “It’s very funny that none of them have invited me into the studio,” she said, reflecting on her interactions with younger musicians.
Her foray into music is not entirely new; Denise previously reached number 23 in the UK charts with “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” in 1995. She admitted that the idea of a festive single had never crossed her mind until Celebrations approached her for this campaign. “I was flattered to be asked,” she stated. “I thought it was hysterical.”
As she embraces this new chapter, described as her “third act,” Welch is also making waves in the fashion world. Recently, she served as a correspondent at the GQ Man of the Year party, where she showcased her evolving style with a bold leather ensemble. “I’m enjoying it because I really am seeing this as a sort of third act,” she explained. “I feel that there’s some kind of change happening, and I’m embracing it as this new era for me.”
Welch’s popularity extends beyond the UK, with fans even in unexpected places like Tallinn, Estonia. During a cruise, she was recognized by a local tour guide who exclaimed, “You’re off the Waterloo Road school,” highlighting her reach in international television.
Looking ahead, Welch teased plans for the coming year, including a comedy project titled Stepping Up and a return to Waterloo Road. She remains tight-lipped about her son Matty’s upcoming wedding to Gabbriette Bechtel, though she is preparing for the event with great care. “Now I’ve become the number one fashionista of the United Kingdom,” she joked, acknowledging the pressure to make a stylish impression.
With a potential Christmas number one on the horizon and a burgeoning fashion following, Denise Welch is poised to make a significant impact this holiday season. Her infectious enthusiasm for life and creativity shines through in Slayyy Bells, which is now available for listeners to enjoy. As she aptly stated, “Always leave them wanting more.”
