Coleen Nolan

Coleen Nolan – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life story, career highlights, timeless quotes, and lasting legacy of Coleen Nolan — British singer, TV personality, and author. Dive into her journey, challenges, and words that inspire.

Introduction

Coleen Nolan is a multi-talented English-Irish singer, television personality, and author, known for her warm public persona and outspoken nature. Born on 12 March 1965, she first rose to fame as the youngest member of the girl group The Nolans, and later transformed herself into a household name through her long-running role on ITV’s Loose Women. Her life has been one of adaptation, resilience, and reinvention — from music stages to daytime television to the pages of books. In this article, we’ll explore her life and career in depth, and reflect on her most memorable sayings and legacy.

Early Life and Family

Coleen Patricia Nolan was born on 12 March 1965 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England to Irish immigrant parents. The Nolan household was musical, and many of her sisters later became part of a performing act together.

Coleen grew up in a large, supportive, and sometimes challenging family environment. The facets of sibling dynamics, shared dreams, and later losses would shape much of her emotional and creative life.

Youth and Education

From a young age, Coleen showed an affinity for performance. At nearly nine years old, she made her first television appearance with her sisters on It’s Cliff Richard! in 1974, performing “Stuck on You.”

Regarding formal education, public records are less detailed. Some sources indicate she attended St Mary’s Catholic College in Blackpool, and that the family also had connections to The Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford, West London. As the Nolans’ musical commitments escalated, her schooling likely became secondary to performance and touring.

Career and Achievements

Music with The Nolans

Coleen’s signature launchpad was The Nolans, a sister group who found significant success in the UK, Japan, and internationally. The group had a string of hits such as:

• I’m in the Mood for Dancing (their signature song)

• Don’t Make Waves

• Gotta Pull Myself Together

• Who’s Gonna Rock You

• Chemistry

• Don’t Love Me Too Hard

At their peak, The Nolans sold over 30 million records worldwide — making them one of the most successful girl groups globally.

Coleen left the group in 1994 to focus on family. I’m in the Mood for Dancing.

Transition to Television & Media

From 2000 onwards, Coleen established a second career in television, becoming a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women. Loose Women from 2000–2001, then 2004–2011, and returned again in 2013 to the present.

Between 2001–2002 and again from 2010–2012, she contributed to the ITV daytime show This Morning, particularly hosting “hub” segments.

Coleen also pursued various television opportunities:

• In 2009 she competed on Dancing on Ice and finished in 4th place.

• Co-hosted Dancing on Ice Friday in 2010.

• In 2012, she entered Celebrity Big Brother (series 10) and was runner-up.

• She returned in 2017 as a contestant in Celebrity Big Brother 19, and won that series.

• In 2013 she became a resident agony aunt on The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

• She has also appeared on shows such as Give a Pet a Home (2015) and hosted documentaries like The Truth About… Eternal Youth and The Secret Guide to Women’s Health.

Her presence in television helped her become more than “just a singer” — she became a voice people related to, someone who could speak frankly about life, family, relationships, grief, and health.

Writing and Authorship

Coleen has authored both memoirs and fiction, and also written on advice and personal reflections. Her works include:

Memoirs / Nonfiction:

• Upfront and Personal: The Autobiography (2009)

• Mum to Mum: Happy Memories and Honest Advice, From a Real Mum (2010)

• No Regrets (2014)

• Live, Laugh, Love. Lessons I've Learnt. (2021)

• A Hand to Hold: All I've Learnt About Grief (2024)

Novels / Fiction:

• Envy (2010)

• Denial (2011)

Beauty / Self-help:

• Coleen Nolan’s Beauty Secrets: From Drab to Fab in 15 Minutes (2010)

Through her writing, she has shared personal stories — not always flattering, but honest — about motherhood, relationships, personal regrets, faith, grief, and health.

Public Presence, Challenges & Controversies

Coleen has never shied away from airing strong opinions, occasionally generating controversy. For example, she has made statements on Loose Women regarding adoption rights for gay couples, or provocative remarks about sexuality, which prompted public debate and criticism.

In 2023, she disclosed a diagnosis of basal-cell carcinoma (a form of skin cancer). Her openness about health struggles — both physical and emotional — has become part of her public image.

She has also spoken about long-term health issues, such as bladder leakage, candidly, seeking to reduce stigma around the topic.

Historical Milestones & Context

Coleen’s career spans decades and reflects changing media landscapes:

• 1970s–1980s Pop Era: The Nolans were active during a time when girl groups were an important segment of pop music. Their success, particularly in Japan and Asia, illustrates how British/Irish acts found overseas markets.

• 1990s Transition: As pop trends shifted and the music industry evolved, Coleen’s exit from the group in 1994 marked a turning point where many performers needed to re-invent themselves.

• 2000s Television Boom: Her involvement in daytime TV coincided with the rise of panel shows and candid, personality-driven programming. Loose Women grew as a staple of daytime television, and Coleen’s outspoken persona fit well.

• Reality TV Influence: Participation in shows like Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice typified how entertainers leveraged reality TV formats to stay in public view and gain renewed relevance.

Her journey corresponds to broader transformations in media, celebrity, and the merging of entertainment with personal storytelling.

Legacy and Influence

Coleen Nolan’s legacy is multifaceted:

• Bridging Music and Television: She is one of relatively few performers who successfully transitioned from a pop career into long-term television presence.

• Voice of Openness: Her willingness to speak honestly about grief, health, aging, family conflict, and mental well-being has made her relatable and respected among audiences, especially women.

• Role Model for Reinvention: Coleen’s ability to reinvent—moving from singing to broadcasting to writing—offers a blueprint for longevity in entertainment.

• Advocacy and Conversations: By tackling taboo topics (such as bladder issues, cancer, grief), she has helped broaden public dialogue on subjects many prefer to keep hidden.

• Cultural Memory: For fans of 1980s pop and later British daytime television, she remains a familiar and enduring presence.

Over time, her impact may be seen not just in her hits, but in how public figures increasingly blend personal sincerity with their work.

Personality and Talents

Coleen’s public persona is warm, direct, and often self-deprecating. She comes across as someone who doesn’t shy away from her flaws. Her experiences of loss, family dynamics, and personal challenges have imbued her with both empathy and grit.

Key traits and talents:

• Vocal and musical skill: As part of The Nolans, she contributed lead and backing vocals, and navigated touring life from a young age.

• Communication: Her speaking style, whether on TV, in books, or in interviews, is conversational, candid, and reflective.

• Emotional intelligence: She often channels personal adversity into shared insight, whether about grief, relationships, or health issues.

• Resilience: She has persisted through criticism, public scrutiny, personal losses (including the deaths of sisters), health scares, and financial strain, and continued to work and engage.

• Curiosity & growth: Coleen’s writings and television features often explore self-improvement, healing, and life lessons, showing a commitment to growth.

Famous Quotes of Coleen Nolan

Here are some notable quotes attributed to Coleen Nolan, reflecting her perspective on life, relationships, struggle, and growth:

“Grief takes a long time to process and it's different for everyone.” “When I lost my sister Bernie to cancer, I knew she'd had enough of the pain … I was feeling absolutely heartbroken, I also felt relieved she was at peace.” “Yes, I could get cancer, but I'm just going to try to enjoy life as much as possible and not get hung up on relationships or marriages not working.” “It doesn't matter if someone says sorry a million times — if they really have hit you then that should be the end.” “When you've gone through something as horrendous as being regularly attacked and hurt, of course you'll flinch because it's what you've been used to.” “No matter what had gone on between me and my exes, I really didn't let it affect me and the kids.” “The truth is, all relationships — however solid — can shift and change.” “I'd like to have enough money so I could have the chance to retire early, but then so does everybody.”

These quotes reveal her philosophy of resilience, honesty, self-care, and boundaries.

Lessons from Coleen Nolan

From Coleen Nolan’s journey, we can draw several lessons:

1. Adaptability is key — success in one domain (music) can pave the way for new paths (television, writing) if one is willing to learn and change.

2. Honesty resonates — audiences often respond more deeply to real stories, vulnerabilities, and imperfections than polished personas.

3. Set boundaries — knowing when to walk away, set limits in relationships, or defend self-respect appears repeatedly in her public reflections.

4. Grief and growth can live together — she consistently demonstrates that mourning loss does not preclude joy, purpose, or renewal.

5. Persistence through hardship — financial strain, health issues, and public criticism have not silenced her. She continues to create and engage.

Conclusion

Coleen Nolan’s life is not a fairy tale of seamless fame; rather, it is a story of reinvention, emotional courage, and openness in the face of adversity. From singing with her sisters in The Nolans, to talking everyday struggles on Loose Women, to writing books on grief and life lessons, she has navigated multiple roles with honesty. Her quotes and reflections serve as guideposts for those facing loss, change, or uncertainty.

If you are drawn to stories of resilience and personal growth, exploring Coleen Nolan’s books or watching her public journeys can both comfort and inspire.

Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any era of her life (e.g. her music with The Nolans, her television career, or her writing).