Denise Welch shared a touching tribute to her late father, Vin, as she took to the stage this weekend and made her festival debut at Mighty Hoopla, sending fans wild
Denise Welch honoured her late dad with a touching tribute during her festival debut. The actress and presenter shocked fans this weekend when it emerged that she was a surprise act at Mighty Hoopla.
The 68-year-old had the sold-out crowd roaring with excitement when she appeared on stage for one of the standout moments of the weekend. Taking to the stage at 6pm, Denise, from Tynemouth, performed a special rendition of It’s Raining Men, created especially for Hoopla.
Performing alongside a troupe of male dancers and Sink The Pink artists, the actress looked incredible in a black sequined all-in-one suit, delivering a performance to remember. But during her performance, the Waterloo Road actor, shared a moving tribute to her dad, Vin, who died in September 2021.
Vin, who was known for his flamboyant personality, was also a performer – a drag act under the name of Raquel. Speaking previously, Denise explained that her mother often did Vin’s make-up. And during holidays, Vin would love nothing more than meeting a crowd of Brits, and then on the last night, making an appearance as Raquel.
Addressing the crowd, the actress said: “The only time I’m ever backstage at a festival is when I’m with me son, I never thought in a million years I would be doing it for a community that I love and cherish so very much.”
Her son, Matty, is the lead singer of pop-rock band, The 1975, and Denise is often seen proudly watching on at performances, including headlining Glastonbury Festival, as well as the likes of Reading and Leeds.
Speaking of her love for the LGBTQ+ community, she went on to say: “You welcomed me into your hearts many years ago because obviously I am 123 and my dad, my late dad Vin, was a heterosexual drag act in Whitley Bay, get your head around that.
“And when I was at drama school, and all the other kids were being taken to McDonald’s, I was being taken to the Black Cab in Camden Town. And I know things have taken a reverse turn, but believe you me, as an ally, we are going to fight to get things to where they should be.”
And the performance certainly went down a treat with fans. One person commented on Instagram: “What a queen!” A second added: “F***ing legend @denise_welch just like your amazing papa.” “Jesus Christ I couldn’t love you more,” said actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson.
Denise’s Loose Women co-star, Brenda Edwards, added: “I wish I had been there to see this,” alongside clapping emojis. While Andrea McLean added: “DENZ!!” alongside fire emojis. Jenny Powell joked: “It’s raining Den!!” Angela Lonsdale went on to write: “You never cease to amaze me! Knew you would absolutely smash it Darling! Beyond proud.” Coleen Nolan added: “This is fantastic Den!”
“So gutted I had to miss this,” said Frankie Bridge. Dannii Minogue penned: “This emotion!” Moments after the performance, Denise was seen overcome with emotion as she walked off stage.
And while Denise has previously worked on stage, it appears she may not be hanging up her performing shoes any time soon. When asked if she would consider appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, she told The Sun: “I’m pleading the fifth on that one!”
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