Singer and presenter Coleen Nolan tells us all about the things she loves most
WORDS: KATHERINE HASSEL. PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK, BBC
Loose Women favourite Coleen Nolan has enjoyed more than 50 years of showbiz success. As the youngest of The Nolans, she sang in one of the world’s biggest girl groups, with over 30 million record sales. She came fourth in Dancing on Ice in 2009, won Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, and even has an Emmy. We chatted with the 58-year-old, who is mum to Shane, 34, Jake, 30, and Ciara, 21, about what makes her happy.
1 Reality show
I love Strictly. I’d love to learn how to dance properly. You get to dress in gorgeous outfits, learn a new skill and, let’s be honest, the men are hot. Seriously, if I ever get to do it and don’t get the Strictly curse, I’m gonna complain.
2 Item of clothing
Pyjamas. You get home, get the old bra off, put on your pyjamas and slippers and think, ‘Ah, this is so comfy.’ I can’t wear them in bed, though. They get on my nerves, so they come off. I’m like Marilyn Monroe in bed… just perfume.
3TIPPLE
Spiced rum and cola. I’m not really a drinker. I can only drink alcohol if it tastes like pop.
I’m allergic to wine and, when I was in Big Brother, they sent wine in at night. I think Jamie O’Hara, the footballer, said, ‘I know what drink you want…’ So we got cans of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum & Cola. Boy, did I like them.
4EMBARRASSING MEMORY
I must’ve been six and on stage with my family. We used to do an Osmonds medley and I sang Long Haired Lover from Liverpool. I’d kick my legs like Jimmy Osmond and my shoe flew into the audience. Everyone laughed.
I was so mortified, I cried.
5 Celebrity hero
Frank Sinatra. My dad was a massive fan. I was singing Sinatra before I could talk. My sisters toured with Frank, but I was only 10 and too young. They phoned one day and said, ‘We’re flying you to the show in Paris...
Frank can’t wait to meet you.’ I said, ‘I can’t. I’m with the horses.’ I turned down Sinatra to muck out horses. Why didn’t someone smack me hard and put me on a plane? The biggest regret of my life.
6 Memory you always laugh about
When Andrea McLean was on Loose Women and we were tasting ice cream. I thought, ‘I’m gonna try this old gag, but she won’t fall for it.’ Andrea said, ‘What’s your ice cream like?’ I said, ‘It smells a bit funny.’ She went, ‘Let me smell…’ and I shoved it in her face. God, we laughed. She did the last link with ice cream dripping off her nose!
7 Ideal Saturday night
I just love Saturday night telly like Strictly and game shows. I don’t know whether that stems from childhood when w
