Denise Welch has pulled out of the line-up for a pantomime production of Jack And The Beanstalk in her native Newcastle due to complications with production.
In a statement, the 59-year-old former Coronation Street star explained it is with a ‘heavy heart’ that she must pull out, with sources revealing exclusively to MailOnline that ‘shambolic’ production was the reason for her departure.
The play, which also stars Emmerdale’s Adam Thomas, is said to have run into an array of woes including problems with the set, payment issues and difficulties with a mix of an amateur and professional cast.
Sad to go: Denise Welch has pulled out of the line-up for a pantomime production of Jack And The Beanstalk in her native Newcastle due to complications with production
Denise revealed she was heartbroken about the incident in a statement released to MailOnline, where she said: ‘I am so terribly upset and hugely disappointed that I will no longer be appearing in the Times Square Pantomime in Newcastle.
‘Those who know me and have supported me during my 40 year career will know how passionate I am about my job, Newcastle and it’s people.
‘All I ever wanted was to star in a fabulous, spectacular pantomime that I have been publicising since February.If there was anything I could do to change this regrettable situation I would. Legally, I can say no more but I write this with a heavy heart.’
While she kept the details of the event under wraps, sources claim there is much more going on behind the scenes as they told MailOnline: ‘It was a c*** up of production. It’s had issues with payment, Denise finds out the staff aren’t professional.
Hitting the stage: The 59-year-old former Coronation Street star has ‘parted company’ with NS Pantomimes, the company that released a statement on Wednesday announcing her departure from her role as Mother Nature in Jack and the Beanstalk
‘She complained that half were professional, half not. Nothing’s ready. It got so bad that Denise and Adam called a meeting. The cast said to production you have a few days to get things right. She’s been holding on.
‘She doesn’t wanna let anyone down. She has never ever quit, she’s not a quitter, but she’s hugely frustrated. She was also greatly looking forward to it.
‘The first performance should have been Monday and there was one next Friday as nothing could work. It was a shambles. She had problems with payment.’
The production team released a statement stating that they had ‘made the decision to continue production without the North East actress’.
Concerns: The production team released a statement stating that they had ‘made the decision to continue production without the North East actress’
After the news surfaced, Denise shared a cryptic Instagram post reading: ‘I am very strong but sometime while I’m being strong I’m also hyperventilating and my heart is pounding out of my chest. Also I might cry and swear a lot. That’s just how I roll.’
The insiders explained that the message was in relation to the scenario and how devastated she is to let people down as she is so professional.
Sources explained: ‘The context (of her Instagram post) was apparent because she’s so professional and she was just frustrated. She’s just finished Wind In The Willows (in the West End). It was like a Carry On film. She was let down. She’s heartbroken.’
Shock: The insiders explained that the message was in relation to the scenario and how devastated she is to let people down as she is so professional
The star-studded show was set to launch on Tuesday although it was announced on that the first two shows were postponed due to ‘technical difficulties’, shortly after she shared a cryptic message on Instagram about ‘crying’.
It was first announced last year that she would take the leading part in the panto alongside Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas, who takes the titular role in the play.
Now however the team behind the show has released a statement revealing her understudy would take over the role for the month long stint.
Tough times: Earlier this month, Denise spoke candidly about her mental health as she revealed that soon after she gave birth to her first son Matt 28 years ago, she found herself plunged into a deep, dark depression
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Denise and the theatre for comment.
Last month she spoke of her excitement for the show, as she said: ‘It is being purpose-built for our pantomime so it’s exciting as it means we can create a pantomime world of our own.’
Earlier this month, Denise spoke candidly about her mental health as she revealed that soon after she gave birth to her first son Matt 28 years ago, she found herself plunged into a deep, dark depression.
Speaking in a recent interview at BUILD LDN, the actress broke down in tears as she said: ‘When Matthew was born I had an immediate rush of love like you expect to have for your child.
Getting ready: Last month she spoke of her excitement for the show, as she said: ‘It is being purpose-built for our pantomime so it’s exciting as it means we can create a pantomime world of our own’
‘And when the depression set in I lost the ability to love him because it robs you of every emotion… I didn’t have any feeling for anything.
Denise, who made the appearance to promote her new short film Black Eyed Susan, revealed that Matt, a member of successful rock band The 1975, channelled the pain of his mother’s experience into the song She Lays Down.
Speaking to Kate Thornton, the former Coronation Street star explained that the lyrics were inspired by her regular routine of lying down beside her first offspring as she prayed [something to help me regain the love of my child].’