<p><br /> Former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch has admitted she took cocaine in between filming scenes on the hit soap.<br /> </p><p><br /> Welch - who played Rovers' landlady Natalie Barnes from 1997 to 2000 - made the revelations in her new autobiography, Pulling Myself Together, claiming it was the only way she could cope with depression.<br /> </p><p><br /> The 51-year-old Loose Women panelist described how she made excuses to get out of scenes and used the opportunity to meet her dealer.<br /> </p><p><br /> She admitted to taking cocaine in between filming scenes for barmaid Betty Turpin's birthday.<br /> </p><p><br /> Married to actor Tim Healy, Welch began suffering from depression following the birth of her first child, and despite being prescribed anti-depressants she also turned to cocaine and alcohol in an attempt to cope. 'I was convinced that it was the only way I could go from feeling flat and hopeless to getting through. I walked back on set, checking my nose for any traces and paranoid that someone would notice.'<br /> </p><p><br /> Having attended Alcoholics Anonymous Denise says she is now healthier and managing her depression with prescription medication.<br /> </p>
