Actor, Loose Women star, and National Numeracy Ambassador Denise Welch says rebuilding number confidence can be life-changing at any age, as she battles maths anxiety
Denise Welch has opened up about the lifelong impact of maths anxiety and why it is “never too late” to rebuild confidence with numbers as she enters what fans are calling her career “renaissance”.
Speaking during a special Big Number Natter conversation for the charity National Numeracy ahead of National Numeracy Day, Denise reflected on a period of personal and professional renewal that has seen her embrace new opportunities, rediscover confidence and inspire women to rethink ageing and growth.
At 68, Denise has recently made headlines for her striking red-carpet appearances, magazine features, and renewed energy across television and entertainment, a transformation she jokingly describes as finally getting “a team”.
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But behind the glamorous “renaissance”, she insisted the deeper change has been about mindset. “I think it’s never too late to do anything,” she said. “I’m always talking about flipping the narrative in your head. Instead of ‘Oh my God, I’m nearly 70,’ it’s ‘I’m going to be 70 and that’s fantastic.’”
Denise said that same outlook shaped how she now approaches numbers and maths confidence, an area of her life that for decades was defined by fear and avoidance. “Anything to do with finances would literally make me either physically or metaphorically go, ‘la, la, la, la, la,’” she admitted.
The TV legend revealed that anxiety around maths began in childhood and stayed with her throughout adulthood, affecting everything from jobs and money management to pensions and tax. “I’d been in the toilet and vomited before at school because I could see double maths coming up,” she said. “The fear was real.”
She also described avoiding cash machines because she did not want to see her balance and said she often relied heavily on others to help manage financial matters.
During the conversation, Denise spoke candidly about how low number confidence affected her financial independence over the years and how much she has relied on her husband, Lincoln Townley, for support with finances and long term planning.
“It’s completely held me back as to where I should have been financially,” she said, describing how fear around numbers led her to avoid conversations about money, pensions and tax. “If I didn’t have Lincoln, I would be in a desperately, desperately vulnerable, sad situation.
“I wish that I’d done something before so that I hadn’t become so reliant on my husband to help me with the basics.”
Now, through her work with the charity National Numeracy, Denise says she is learning that improving number confidence is not about becoming “a maths wizard”, but about building practical skills and reducing fear.
“No one is expecting you to become a maths wizard,” she explained. “But you can learn some techniques and basic skills to help you get through life.”
Denise drew parallels between her renewed professional confidence and her changing relationship with numeracy, saying that both have come from refusing to believe that growth has an age limit. “It’s never ever too late to improve in all areas of your life,” she said. “Being involved with National Numeracy has given me a bit more confidence in that area.”
National Numeracy estimates that around half of working age adults in the UK have the numeracy levels expected of primary school children, impacting everything from finances to health and career progression.
Sam Sims, CEO of National Numeracy, said Denise’s honesty is helping to challenge the shame that some people may feel, around maths anxiety. “Denise’s story resonates so strongly because people see themselves in it. Her renaissance is such a powerful example of the fact that growth, confidence and learning don’t stop at any age. Whether it’s fashion, career, mental health or numeracy, it’s never too late to make positive changes. The Numeracy Challenge, our free online learning tool is a great place to start, for anybody who lacks confidence with numbers.”
As a grandmother, Denise added that she is especially passionate about helping younger generations avoid the fear and shame around maths that she experienced growing up.
“I’d like to approach helping my grandson with confidence instead of sweaty palms,” she said. Denise also had a message for adults who feel embarrassed about struggling with numbers. “Nobody is judging you,” she concluded. “National Numeracy exists to help people like us, not to test us or make us feel stupid.”
National Numeracy urges anybody who may feel overwhelmed by numbers to search ‘Numeracy Challenge online. The challenge is free and helps improve people’s confidence in maths at a pace and level that adapt to each individual user.
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