Denise Welch heartbroken as dad Vin dies following pneumonia battle

Denise Welch has revealed her father Vin has sadly died following a battle with pneumonia.

The Loose Women star announced the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Wednesday morning.

Denise, 63, has regularly kept her followers updated after her father spent time in hospital earlier this year.

But sharing a photo of her hand clasped around her father's, she shared the upsetting news with her followers.

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"The words I’ve dreaded saying all of my life," Denise began the post.

"Last night at 11pm, we lost our dad, the life force that was Vin Welch. After making a miraculous recovery recently from major surgeries, pneumonia plus his existing pulmonary fibrosis was more than even he could take."

Denise added: "He left us surrounded by his family who could not have loved anyone more.

"I can’t quite function as I’m so grief stricken, but I know he meant so much to so many people, even those who’d never met him. I’ve never seen anyone fight to stay longer at a party than dad and last night was no different.

"He loved life and lived it to the full like no other."

She then went on to thank the hospital for all their care and support.

"The nurses in Ward 6 at Durham University hospital will forever be in our hearts as they gave dad the most peaceful passing anyone could wish for.

"They adored him and he them. Heather, Helen, Lauren, Naz, Chloe, Graham, Debs to name but a few. We will NEVER forget you."

Denise added: "Love you dad. Heartbroken."

The post has quickly been flooded with messages from Denise's friends and fans.

"Sending the tightest hugs Den," Corrie star Samia Longchambon said.

Ruth Langsford wrote: "So, so sorry Denise….he was a one off and there’s going to be one hell of a party in heaven. I know your heart is breaking but grief is the price we pay for love. You will carry him with you always. RIP Vin."

"I’m so desperately sorry. He was a life force. He twinkled and sparkled like no other and has left a Vn shaped hole in all our heart’s Den. He was truly special," former Loose Women star Kate Thornton added.

Hollyoaks co-star Robert Beck shared: "I’m so , so sorry Den, sending all the love in the world to you and the whole family."

Over the summer, Denise called on her Corrie pals for visiting her dad, with fans branding it 'wonderful'.

The Hollyoaks star has been open about her dad's health battle in recent months and had spoke of her despair at being unable to go in an ambulance with him while fans attended the Euros and other big events during the summer.

Denise said back in June that her dad Vin was 'fighting back' after undergoing three major operations.

Vin ended up in hospital in March after suffering a fall at his County Durham home in March and has regularly been updating fans on social media of his progress.

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