Corrie Star admits taking cocaine while on soap

Former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch has admitted she took cocaine in between filming scenes on the hit soap.

Welch - who played Rovers' landlady Natalie Barnes from 1997 to 2000 - made the revelations in her new autobiography, Pulling Myself Together, claiming it was the only way she could cope with depression.

The 51-year-old Loose Women panelist described how she made excuses to get out of scenes and used the opportunity to meet her dealer.

She admitted to taking cocaine in between filming scenes for barmaid Betty Turpin's birthday.

Married to actor Tim Healy, Welch began suffering from depression following the birth of her first child, and despite being prescribed anti-depressants she also turned to cocaine and alcohol in an attempt to cope. 'I was convinced that it was the only way I could go from feeling flat and hopeless to getting through. I walked back on set, checking my nose for any traces and paranoid that someone would notice.'

Having attended Alcoholics Anonymous Denise says she is now healthier and managing her depression with prescription medication.