A ridiculous update was added to Denise’s Wikipedia page following the hoax

LOOSE Women star Denise Welch joined in the joke amid bizarre reports she had gone missing in a hot air balloon.

Rumours spread at the weekend that she was last spotted drifting over northern France.

Three people giving thumbs up while in a hot air balloon basket.
2

Denise Welch joined in the joke amid reports she had gone missing in a hot air balloon (pictured on BBC’s Down To Earth in 2005)Credit: BBC
A fake online report claimed Denise, 66, and four others “vanished after launching from the UK” with the balloon having “disappeared over French airspace near Calais”.

Someone even updated her Wikipedia entry to say the actress had “disappeared somewhere over the Pyrenees”.

Denise was alerted to the report by fans.

One wrote “I can’t stop thinking about it.

“Denise you’re like the Pope to me.”

Geordie Denise later mocked memes claiming Lady Gaga was helping the hunt and Newcastle United’s parade with the Carabao Cup on Saturday was “to celebrate the safety of local legend Denise Welch”.

A friend told The Sun: “Denise found the whole thing hilarious but was baffled as to why anyone would say she’s adrift in a balloon.

“Her family has been laughing about it.”Original Penny Branning star looks worlds away from EastEnders role 16 years on

Denise Welch on the set of Loose Women.
2

Denise was alerted to the report by fansCredit: Rex Features