‘ray is staying with us’

EXCLUSIVE

Coleen Nolan has always been an open book, which is undoubtedly why she’s so loved by her fans. And when we catch up with her on an otherwise dull Monday morning, the star quickly brightens up our day with her witty humour, honesty and positive outlook on life.

Now, fans are also able to see her up close and personal, as she’s currently on her first solo tour, Music, Life & Laughter, which is travelling around the UK until 28 March.

Here, Coleen tells Woman why the tour has become a family affair, how she’s supporting close friend Linda Robson through her marriage split and why she’s considering making boyfriend Michael Jones sign a prenup!

Hi Coleen! What made you decide to go on tour?

I kind of mentioned it as, ‘I think I’d regret it if I don’t ever get to sing again or perform live on stage,’ and then everyone just ran with it. I was like, ‘Guys, it was just a joke.’

But here we are.

The nerves are making me feel alive again.

What are your pre- and post-show rituals?

My pre-show ritual will probably be on the toilet and my after-show ritual will be drinking as much rum as I can possibly find in that moment! Me and my sisters didn’t really have rituals before we went on stage – we just went on and did it.

Is Michael coming on tour with you?

Michael kind of lives with me and is selling my merchandise on tour. If he’s coming on tour, he’s working! And Ray, my ex, is my guitarist and my son is my support act. It’s a proper family thing. It was actually Michael’s idea about putting Ray on guitar, because the guitarist I was originally using couldn’t do it. So Michael said, ‘Why don’t you ask Ray to do it?’

How are you finding working together?

While we’ve been rehearsing, Ray’s been staying here because he lives in Leeds and we’re rehearsing near me. It’s so nice to go through everything we went through – divorce is horrible, even when it’s amicable, it’s sad – but I’m so glad that with both my exes, I get on well with them. It’s so nice not to have any animosity or hatred. We can have a laugh about it now. I’m gonna rinse him [Ray] on stage, don’t you worry about that. I said to him, ‘You know you’re getting it every song I sing.’ But he’s been brilliant and it’s great for the kids.

So Michael and Ray get on?

We went out for a meal the other night and the two of them were crying laughing. I was