I caused a bit of controversy this week when I tweeted that a fox had attacked our beloved dog Pip.

To be honest, I explained I didn’t know exactly what happened but I responded to a shocked phone call from Lincoln (my fiancé) when I was in the middle of a photo shoot.

He called in a blind panic to tell me that he had come home from the gym to find Pip lying motionless on her side, frothing at the mouth with her heart racing. Clearly terrified of something.

He calmed her down and managed to get her to drink some water and eventually she sat up and appeared to be fine, albeit very shaken up.

Lincoln was aware of a horrible smell and thought that Pip had been rummaging through a bin as there was some mess on the kitchen floor.

At this point he realised he had to pick my son Louis up from school so, making sure that Pip was in her bed in the next room, he left.

When they got home, Louis, 12, peeked through the kitchen window and promptly burst into tears.

He saw a fox baring its teeth before running behind the fridge.

Poor Pip had obviously been locked in the house with it earlier and a fight had naturally ensued.

The pest controller was called and deemed that the fox had to be destroyed.

Now, I don’t like foxes very much. I think they are vermin and I have seen what they have done to my chickens on occasion, however, there are ones naturally in their own domain and I would never hurt them.

But I don’t want them in my house thank you very much, and this seems to be happening on a much more regular basis.

I have the young children of friends and family and my nanny visiting my house who often stay overnight and we have heard of several stories of attacks on young kids by foxes.

My theory is that if our rubbish was collected more often this would help and also in urban areas some people treat them like dogs and feed them titbits for which they will obviously return.

Although I have had mostly lovely responses from people asking about Pip you would not believe the abuse I had from the “Save The Fox” brigade.

I was even told by several idiots that I shouldn’t ever leave my door open!

It was a busy day. My eldest son’s band were leaving to go on tour and there was a lot of human traffic toing and froing from house to car.

My point being – a fox got into my house, my dog nearly had a heart attack and my son was terrified.

The fox had pooed all over my lounge and we dealt with the situation as advised.

Thankfully boxer Pip is fine.

Roadsides will never be the same

Sad to see the demise of the Little Chef – an important part of my childhood.

The famous man in the chef’s hat was always such a welcome sign for my sister Debbie and I on our long holiday journeys as it brought temporary relief from mum making us harmonise to Down By The Riverside and The Party’s Over.

We would always order the Early Starter as that is what our parents would have.

The eggs and fried bread were delicious and at the moment I feel as though I could wolf 27 plates down as I’m on week four of my diet!

Talking of my diet, I have now lost 13lbs in three weeks.

I like my slim shape, but what I love more is that I no longer have to take my indigestion tablets and I can bend my arthritic knee again.

I will try and remember my improved health when I next walk past a Whitley Bay fish and chip shop!

Denise Welch with Natalie Cassidy
Denise Welch with Natalie Cassidy

Bezzie of Week

We interviewed Natalie Cassidy on Loose Women this week and it was really lovely to see her.

For those who watched me on Big Brother you’ll remember she was my best friend in there and I was gutted when she was voted out – far too early in my opinion.

I think some of the tension in there would not have reached boiling point if her calming influence had been around for longer.

She’s a bundle of fun and is looking fantastic at the moment because she is so happy.

Natalie has been very honest about the very public break-up she had with her fiancé Adam and his heavy drinking led to some nasty rows which became physical on both sides.

However, she also believes that everyone deserves a second chance and, now that Adam has admitted he has a problem and has sought help for his addiction, they are back together and trying for a second baby.

In no way do I condone physical violence but I know that people change when the demon alcohol plays a part.

Natalie has said that if her boyfriend has another drink she will call time on her relationship,  but without alcohol he is proving to be a loving partner and Eliza loves her daddy very much.

I think we should not condemn her decision, but wish her well and hope that they find happiness together as a family.

Men need pep to help around the house

Apparently trials for a female equivalent of Viagra are proving successful.

However, there’s a concern that it may turn the women who try it into nymphomaniacs!

What about inventing a pill that gives men the desire to help with the housework?

That way maybe women wouldn’t be so tired and therefore up for a bit of jiggy jigs more often and wouldn’t be resorting to pills for their flagging libidos.