"She writes a whole album": Matty Healy's mother, Denise Welch, takes a snide at ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift

Denise Welch, a British actress and TV personality, grabbed attention on her recent visit to the American late-night chat show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. The Loose Women star tackled questions about pop sensation Taylor Swift and her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), which people think might mention Welch's son, musician Matty Healy.

In the chat, host Andy Cohen introduced Welch as the mom of "the great Matty Healy," who leads the band The 1975. He then asked her thoughts on Swift's TTPD album, which many fans believe has lyrics inspired by her short romance with Healy in 2023.

"On that topic, um, Miss Swift wrote a whole album about their relationship, Tortured Poets Department. What was your reaction to that album?" Andy asked.

"Obviously, on pain of death can I talk about that episode, but not being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad that I lost," Welch responded. Not that I have anything against her at all. It was just, you know, it was it was tricky. But um... Listen, you're not allowed to say anything. And then she writes a whole album, you know, about it. But Matty has taken it all in completely good grace. He's very happy with his amazing fiance Gabriella, Gabriette, who is gorgeous. So we've all moved on."

Welch's remarks triggered various responses on social media platforms. Some people worried about the perceived tone of her comment, the part about not being Swift's mother-in-law. Others stood up for her, pointing out that she kept a neutral position and didn't criticize anyone. People continue to guess about The Tortured Poets Department since it came out in April 2024.

Matty Healy’s mother, Denise Welch, on his relationship with Taylor Swift:

“Not being her mother-in-law is a role I’m glad that I lost. Not that I have anything against her, at all. It was just, you know, it was tricky. Listen, you’re not allowed to say anything, and then she… pic.twitter.com/p9rsx6zRyh

— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 25, 2025

Welch's remarks revive interest in Taylor Swift and Healy's brief romance

People think several songs on the album, like Fortnight and The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, talk about Swift's short relationship with Healy. But Swift hasn't said which specific song is about. Swift and Healy were first linked in May 2023, right after Swift broke up with actor Joe Alwyn, whom she'd been with for a long time.

Their relationship didn't last long, supposedly ending the next month in June. Swift and Healy haven't said much about their relationship, but people still talk a lot about the short time they were together. Fans and the media keep discussing it. Now, Welch's comments have added something new to the story.

Taylor Swift is now dating Travis Kelce, with their relationship having gone Instagram official with a photo carousel on Kelce's account.