Rock, Rehab, and Resilience

Denise Welch, the 66-year-old actress known for her time on Coronation Street, recently reflected on how her struggles with addiction and mental health shaped her family life. Speaking candidly on the ADHD Chatter podcast, Welch revealed that her issues with clinical depression led to years of drug and alcohol use, which had a profound effect on her eldest son, Matty Healy, the lead singer of The 1975.

Welch, now 11 years sober, acknowledged her past mistakes while discussing how her chaotic lifestyle influenced Healy’s path. She described a pivotal moment of reckoning between them: “Matty and I, we had to have a come-to-Jesus about things I was in denial about, how my behaviors impacted him. But he has also said, 'If our house wasn’t a bit rock and roll, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.’”

Despite the turbulence, Welch and Healy have found a deeper understanding of each other. Welch shared how Healy’s song She Lays Down, featured on one of The 1975’s albums, captured the essence of her battle with post-natal depression. The song served as a poignant tribute to a time when her children were too young to grasp her struggles fully.

“My kids thought I was just poorly; they didn’t know I was dealing with depression,” Welch explained. “When Matthew was old enough, I told him about how I lost the ability to love, and how I would lay down praying—praying to the universe—to help me love my son again.”

While Welch doesn’t shy away from accountability, she emphasized that her relationship with her son is ultimately defined by their mutual love and resilience. Through candid conversations and creative expression, the mother-son duo has turned their shared past into a foundation for healing and understanding.