Loose Women’s Denise Welch launches blistering attack on ‘rude, arrogant narcissist’ Prince Andrew as A Very Royal Scandal debate takes personal turn

Loose Women’s Denise Welch launched a blistering attack on ‘rude, arrogant narcissist’ Prince Andrew on Thursday’s episode of the show.

The TV star, 66, was on the show with her fellow panelists where she was discussing the new three-part Prime Video series A Very Royal Scandal.

It follows actress Ruth Wilson, 42, who plays former Newsnight journalist Emily Maitlis, 54, in a retelling of the car crash interview involving Prince Andrew back in November 2019.

He was quizzed about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein which threatened to damage the reputation of the entire royal family.  

And Denise had some strong words when asked by Charlene White if she would be watching it.

The TV star, 66, was on the show with her fellow panelists where she was discussing the new three-part Prime Video series A Very Royal Scandal

She said: ‘Prince Andrew is a narcissist from the few times I have met him.

‘And there are rumours he is having a viewing viewing party with his pals. He has been rude and arrogant to me and spoke disrespectfully about Diana in the past in my opinion.’

Linda Robson agreed that she wouldn’t be watching it either as she didn’t agree with his associations with Epstein.

A Very Royal Scandal viewers complained that their ‘skin was crawling’ as they watched the series when it came out on Thursday.

The new series was also praised with fans saying Michael Sheen gave an incredible performance – as well as other saying it was hard to watch him squirm during the grilling. 

They penned on X: ‘Already watching ❤️ another great one, Michael!’,

‘Currently watching it now god you are so brilliant as always. But it defo in some parts it made my skin crawl. But absolutely incredible acting from you as always.’,

‘I am so scared of watching. The dychotomy between Michael and the role is giving me anxiety. Am I ready for this piece of, I’m sure, terrific acting? Gosh it’s gonna be the one watched from behind a cushion…’

It follows actress Ruth Wilson , 42, who plays former Newsnight journalist Emily Maitlis, 54, in a retelling of the car crash interview involving Prince Andrew back in November 2019 

He was quizzed about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein which threatened to damage the reputation of the entire royal family (the real interview is pictured) 

Denise said: ‘Prince Andrew is a narcissist from the few times I have met him. And there are rumours he is having a viewing viewing party with his pals. He has been rude and arrogant to me and spoke disrespectfully about Diana in the past in my opinion’

‘I’m sure your acting in this film is incredible.’,

‘Currently watching and god damn you are brilliant, as always’, 

‘I’m watching in the States right now, but I have to go to work soon, it’s so good!!’

‘absolutely incredible performance, as always.’,

It was also praised by critics for leaving Scoop – a Netflix drama released earlier this year about the same interview – ‘in the dust’. 

Others publications branded it a ‘thrilling’ drama that Prince Andrew will ‘struggle to recover from’.  

Website Meaww compared it to Scoop which starred Gillian Anderson as Emily and Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew.

Their reviewer Rupali Manohar Chauhan said: ‘While each version has its own merits, I’ll have to be a little biased towards A Very Royal Scandal thanks to its three-part format, which provides an in-depth look at the nitty-gritty of the notorious interview. 

‘Move over Scoop Prime Video’s A Very Royal Scandal is juicier, and better.’

The Times echoed these sentiments saying it was better than Scoop and also praised Ruth’s acting as Emily. 

They said: ‘Is the series self-admiring? Yes, inevitably. But there is much to admire. It is also complex, touching on Maitlis’s guilt at the hurt caused to Beatrice and Eugenie and the fact that the conversation wasn’t about Jeffrey Epstein’s victims but about dismantling the Queen’s second son. 

‘It is not perfect, but it is highly entertaining and, in my opinion, a better piece of television than.’

Meanwhile The Spectator gave a damning verdict for Prince Andrew suggesting he will ‘struggle to recover’ from the show.  

Of the scandal they wrote: ‘Only the most generous, or blinkered, would not suggest that the wider royal family lives with the embarrassment every day.

‘A Very Royal Scandal is a piquant reminder of this, and one that will resonate with its millions of viewers.’

Meanwhile The Telegraph were less complimentary of the series in their review, branding it a like a ‘bad episode of The Crown’.

They penned of the new show: ‘Why are we seeing this again when anyone who wants to revisit the actual interview can do so on YouTube? 

‘Who cares about the planning meetings and the editing and Maitlis worrying about what to wear.’

It comes as Emily reflected on her history-making interview as she appeared on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain.

Speaking on GMB Emily recounted her time doing the interview, candidly saying watching the series back reminded her of the stress of taking on the challenge.

She said: ‘When I watch the drama I get palpitations – it takes me back to when I thought ‘will I remember to ask the right questions? Can I do this?”

She added of her reaction to Prince Andrew’s demeanour: ‘I realised early on he would be candid in his responses. We never assumed guilt and it was an hour of his own words. 

‘It didn’t matter what he said it was always going to make history. We knew we only had one shot at it to hear from the Prince. It was a document of public record if anything.

‘We were building up the picture of what actually happened and it was quite forensic.’

When asked by host Richard Madeley what she thought of the Prince when the interview was done she carefully answered: ‘I thought he had tried very hard to remember his lines…

‘He wanted us to film extra pieces too he wanted to expand on the Pizza Express stuff and things like that. It was a dilemma as a journalist whether to add stuff he wanted at the end.

‘But he was happy with the interview he gave us a tour of the Palace after the interview and he even invited us back.’

She added of the potential harm the interview could have caused: ‘I do worry about the fallout from it.

‘There was fallout for his family. I feel concern for him as I do for anyone that has had a drop in status. But I don’t regret the interview.’

To counter balance her point she added: ‘But nothing has been concluded for Epstein’s victims still.’

Amazon Prime released the trailer for upcoming drama A Very Royal Scandal last Wednesday, after announcing when it will drop on the streamer.

The three part series premiered on 19 September exclusively on Prime Video in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

It comes just five months after rival streaming platform Netflix’s version, which was out on April 5.

In the trailer, Wilson’s Emily can be seen pursuing the story that would make her a global household name and destroy the Prince’s reputation in a pivotal moment in British history.

Before the interview, the Duke of York quips: ‘I’m going to blow this out of the water.’

He adds in a voiceover: ‘I’ve been warned about you. You have a bit of a reputation.’

Emily then cheekily responds, while sitting across from him: ‘Well, for you, I’ll try and behave.’

It then cuts to the interview and then its aftermath, where Emily says: ‘I was only ever hoping to ask the right questions.’

The series by Amazon MGM Studios will focus far more on Emily – who serves as an executive producer, whereas Netflix’s Scoop focused on Prince Andrew.

A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed the series will ‘follow Emily Maitlis’ professional and personal journey as a Newsnight journalist, leading up to her acclaimed interview with Prince Andrew.’

A press released added: ‘A Very Royal Scandal follows the action of Emily and Prince Andrew in the lead-up to the interview, the ground-breaking event itself and the many questions left in its wake that would change their lives forever.’

Ruth (left) stars as journalist Emily (seen right) 

Actor Michael (left) portrays the Duke Of York (right) in the new production yet he appeared to be absent from the screening in NYC 

The three part series premiered on 19 September exclusively on Prime Video in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand 

The first episode sees Prince Andrew attempt to declare his innocence as he finds himself at the centre of an international scandal while Newsnight presenter, Emily, does everything within her power to secure an interview with him.

The second instalment features the interview but the meeting takes various twists and turns that neither Emily, nor the Newsnight team, could have expected.

Finally, in the third episode Prince Andrew is left to navigate the fallout for himself, his family, and the Royal firm as Emily considers her reputation and the future of her career.

The three part series will premiere on 19 September exclusively on Prime Video in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.