Denise Welch reveals major life change as she and younger husband Lincoln Townley go house hunting in France

Denise Welch has shared a huge update on her future with husband Lincoln Townley, revealing the couple are seriously looking at homes in France.

The former Loose Women star, 66, took to Instagram on Wednesday to let fans in on the exciting next step in their lives together — and it seems the South of France could soon become their new base.

Denise, who has been married to artist Lincoln since 2013, posted a smiling snap of the pair alongside her close friend and former Loose Women co-star Carol McGiffin and Carol’s husband Mark Cassidy.

And the caption made it clear this was more than just a sunny getaway.

“Been house hunting in France near our much missed friends @mcgiff and @cassola21,” Denise wrote.

She added: “Fab few days with my @lincolntownley #younghubbies #theysaiditwouldntlast.”

The playful hashtag was a cheeky nod to her long-lasting marriage to Lincoln, who is 14 years younger than she is — a relationship that has often drawn attention over the years, but one Denise clearly still delights in proving the doubters wrong about.

A move closer to Carol McGiffin?

The update suggests Denise and Lincoln are eyeing a new life close to Carol McGiffin, who already lives in the South of France with husband Mark.

For fans, the idea of Denise settling abroad near one of her closest television friends will no doubt come as a surprise — but also perhaps make perfect sense.

The two women have remained close, and Denise’s post made it clear just how much she and Lincoln enjoyed spending time with the couple while scouting out potential properties.

It also comes at an interesting moment for Carol, who recently shut down speculation that she could return to Loose Women.

Carol has made her position crystal clear

Just days before Denise’s update, Carol firmly dismissed rumours that she might head back to the ITV panel show to help revive it.

Responding to reports suggesting she could return to “save” the programme, Carol insisted there was absolutely no chance.

She said she was “very happy being semi-retired and living a lovely life” with her husband in the South of France.

In other words, Carol is not heading back to the studio any time soon — and if Denise does make the move abroad, she may instead be following her friend into a much sunnier, quieter chapter of life.

The shadow of Carol’s ITV fallout still lingers

Carol’s departure from Loose Women has remained a sore point.

Last year, she claimed she had effectively been pushed out of the show because of contract issues linked to her living in France.

Speaking openly, she said ITV wanted panelists placed on payroll arrangements that simply did not make sense for her situation, given that she was based abroad and was not a British taxpayer.

According to Carol, the terms being offered were so muddled and impractical that she eventually decided it simply was not worth continuing.

That blunt honesty was classic Carol — and it underlined how firmly she has moved on from daytime television.

Denise looks happier than ever

For Denise, though, this latest update was all about excitement, friendship and the possibility of a major new adventure.

Whether the couple are planning a permanent move or simply searching for a dream place to escape to, the mood of her post was unmistakable: relaxed, joyful, and full of anticipation.

And after years of headlines, public scrutiny, and a marriage many once doubted, Denise seemed more than happy to show that she and Lincoln are still going strong — and possibly preparing to swap the UK for a life under the French sun.