Loose Women presenter said she struck up a friendship with Madeleine McCann’s grandmother after defending parents against trolling

Denise Welch has claimed that Kate and Gerry McCann, the parents of missing toddler Madeleine McCann, turned down an invitation to watch Dancing on Ice as they are “trolled beyond compression” if they are seen to be smiling in public.

Appearing on Loose Women, Welch said that years ago she struck up a friendship with Susan Healy, who is grandmother to Madeleine. Healy had reached out to Welch after she hit back at claims that the McCanns were involved in their daughter’s disappearance.

“I spoke out all of those years ago when Madeleine was first taken,” Welch said. “Then of course the story started to evolve that a lot of people were suspecting the McCanns… A lot of it came out of ignorance, but because I spoke out quite a lot I got a handwritten letter from Susan Healy who is Madeleine’s grandmother.

“There was a little bond there and she thanked me for speaking out on behalf of Madeleine when a lot of people were turning against [Kate]. It was heartbreaking what she told me and how they were dealing with this.”

After Welch learned that the McCanns were fans of Dancing on Ice, Welch sent a message to the pair via Healy, asking if they would like to take their children to a live recording of the series

The invitation was declined, however, with Healy informing Welch that appearing on the series would bring negative attention to the pair.

“What she was trying to say is that if Gerry and Kate are seen anywhere, smiling and enjoying anything, the trolling they get is beyond comprehension,” Welch explained.

She added: “I would like closure for the family and to say to the rest of the world who have treated them so appallingly badly when there is no evidence, shame on you.”

The investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who vanished in 2007 when she was three years old, has been revived in recent days.

German police announced last week (3 June) that they have identified a 43-year-old paedophile, who is currently serving a prison sentence for rape, as a possible suspect in the case.