Coleen Nolan

‘I wouldn’t join a dating app – I’m loving single life!’ EXCLUSIVE Thunder Girls star Coleen Nolan tells n ew how she’s embracing her fifties and savouring her freedom

Coleen Nolan doesn’t mince her words and always talks openly when she appears on the Loose Women panel. And she certainly didn’t disappoint when we caught up with her at her Cheshire home. The 54-year-old star is single again following a string of dates with property developer Kevin, 58 – who she met on Flirty Dancing in December – but she admits she’s happy on her own. “I’m bloody loving it,” she giggles.

Coleen is starring in the musical The Thunder Girls, which tours the UK this autumn. It follows the highs and lows of a girl band reunion after a 30-year hiatus – something Coleen has experience of from singing with The Nolans. Despite this role, she admits she has been overlooked for jobs because of her age. At least she’ll always have Loose Women, which she likens to a comfort blanket.

“I can’t imagine my life without it,” she says. “Are there times we irritate each other? Absolutely. But we’re human. What’s lovely is we’re like sisters. Even if we row on the show, it never spills over.”

Here, Coleen opens up about her relationship with her ex-hubby Ray Fensome and how her children, Shane, 31, Jake, 27, and Ciara, 18, stop her from feeling lonely… PHOTOS: Nicky Johnston, Wenn Hi Coleen. What happened with Kevin after the cameras stopped rolling? We just did that show. He was lovely and we got on really well, but we’re not a match. As soon as he said, “I’m vegetarian and I go to the gym every day,” I thought, “Oh no, that’s just not me.” I want to eat a bacon sandwich and watch the telly. How are you finding single life? I’m moving house, so it’s the first time I’ve done that on my own. But I’m really enjoying it and I like the freedom. I can make a decision without worrying about anything else now. It’s very liberating. All my kids are still at home and I’ve got my girlfriends, so my house is busy. That’s why I’m grateful because there are people out there who are sitting on their own. Are you open to the prospect of dating?

If it happens, that would be lovely. It would have to happen pretty organically, so I wouldn’t join a dating website. If I met someone and it just happened I’m not against it, although I’m not actively looking or yearning to meet someone. But I love love and I’m really romantic. Are you and Ray on good terms? We’re better now since we’ve been divorced. We’ve become really good friends and we’ve realised that’s what we were She’s still friends with her ex, Ray

With her three children Jake, Ciara and Shane

meant to be. I can phone Ray about anything and he’ll help me out. He comes around to see Ciara. When you’ve spent a long time with somebody, you’ve got to stop focusing on the crap that happened at the end and focus on all the years before that were brilliant. We had really great times together, so let’s focus on that. That’s lovely. How have you found your fifties so far? I loved my 50th party and I loved my first year of turning 50, but then I hit 51 and became perimenopausal. I went through a stage of feeling a bit redundant as a woman. Once you hit the menopause it’s kind of nature going, “Bye! You’re done!” I had to get a grip of that. And I’m newly divorced. I didn’t expect to get to my mid-fifties and be on my own, but I’m bloody loving it! You do seem really happy… I’ve turned my mindset around. My sister Bernie died when she was 52. Sometimes when I’m busy I’m like, “God, she’d love to be here with all these worries.” That helps me through a lot. I’m happy that my kids are great and I’m busy. Have you ever missed out on a job because of your age? I don’t know whether I’ve missed out, but I’ve certainly not been considered for primetime stuff. It’s upsetting when I see something and think, “Oh, I would have loved to have done that.” I’ve been quite lucky that I’ve done a bit of primetime with The Real Full Monty, which I love. So you’re up for being booked for more jobs? Every day! When my agent tells me I’ve been offered this or that, I think, “I don’t know what I’m

doing, but thank God people still want to use me!” You do think you’re going to get to an age when they’re just not going to want

me. I watch the telly and there are beautiful young girls on there and I think, “Shit!” Are you excited to

be going on tour with The Thunder Girls? I’m really looking forward to it. We

did it for a week in Manchester last year and it had such a good

reception. There were standing ovations and it was sold out. Why did you say yes to the role? When I read the script this was just the one show I couldn’t turn down. It’s like the Christmas Day episode of your favourite soap that you wait all year for! Beverley Callard actually left Coronation Street to join the tour after we did the preview last

Coleen on stage in The Thunder Girls

year. We hoped it would be a success, but none of us were prepared for just how much the audiences loved the characters and the story. It’s such a great girls’ night out, basically eavesdropping on the worst dinner party you could ever imagine being at. It’s about a girl band getting back together. How was it when The Nolans reunited? When I first read the script I could relate to it because that’s exactly what we did – we got back together after 25 years. But it was nothing like The Thunder Girls. We don’t hate each other like they do! GEMMA McCARTNEY

See thundergirls.co.uk to book

‘I’VE BEEN HAPPIER SINCE I’VE GOT RID OF TWITTER’ I’ve been trolled really badly and the way I’ve dealt with it is to stop putting up with it. My management now run my Twitter account because I found it was just a bullying forum. I was addicted to Twitter, but then I got a horrible tweet the day after my sister Bernie died, so I shut it down. It was really hard to press the delete button – I thought, “Am I going to get cut off from the world?” But the moment I pressed it I felt like someone had lifted a whole weight off my shoulders and I’ve been happier since. I would say 95 per cent of people were gorgeous, but it’s the five per cent who tell you to die of cancer that stick in your brain. I’ve also changed the settings on my Instagram so that only people I follow can leave comments. There are people who can’t stand me no matter what I do and I can’t change that – so get rid. ift d

The actress was enjoying her baby shower when her actor boyfriend Steve, 44, surprised her with a proposal!

Jenna, 39, who is pregnant with the pair’s first child, took to Instagram to share a picture of the two kissing and showing off a huge sparkler. She captioned the picture, “A lifetime

to love and grow with you… you have my heart.”

The lovebirds confirmed they were dating in October 2018 and announced last September that they are expecting a baby together. Jenna already has a six-yearold daughter, Everly, with her ex-husband Channing Tatum.

Robbie and Ayda have welcomed their fourth child, son Beau Benedict Enthoven Williams, via a surrogate.

The pair are already parents to Teddy, seven, Charlie, five, and one-year-old Coco, who was also born by surrogate.

“As with Coco, he is biologically ours, but born via our same incredible surrogate,” explained Ayda, 40. “We are so blessed to have our healthy son safely in our arms, and are officially complete as a family.” Congrats, guys!

Robbie Williams & Ayda Field Williams

The Crown actress Vanessa, 31, has reportedly called time on her relationship with fellow actor Callum, 30, after nearly five years of dating – with a source claiming the couple “gradually grew apart”.

“Vanessa and Callum are both rising stars in the acting world and in the last few years they have been flooded with offers,” explained an insider. “But as their careers have taken off, their relationship has suffered and they have gradually grown apart. It’s very sad as they were once so close. It’s all very amicable, things just weren’t working out.” Vanessa and Callum met on the set of British film Queen & Country in 2014 and started dating the following year.

Vanessa Kirby & Callum Turner

Lucy-Jo Hudson & Lewis Devine

Hollyoaks actress Lucy-Jo has given birth to a baby boy, her first child with boyfriend Lewis.

Sharing the exciting news on Instagram Stories, Lucy wrote, “When 3 became 4, 18.2.2020.” The former Coronation Street star, 36, also said, “We are so in love with our baby boy!!! Our family is now complete! Love you @lewisdevine.”

The couple went public with their relationship in July 2018. Lucy-Jo is already mum to six-yearold daughter Sienna-Rae with her ex-husband Alan Halsall.

OR

THE STARS WHO ARE HOOKING UP, BREAKING UP AND HAVING BABIES!

John Cena & Shay Shariatzadeh

The wrestlerturned-actor has sparked rumours he has popped the question to girlfriend Shay.

The couple were spotted on a date in California, with Shay reportedly wearing an engagement ring. “John was spotted today at a carnival in Mission Beach, San Diego, with Shay right behind him with a huge engagement ring on her finger,” a source explained. “They were very affectionate. She was grabbing onto his arm the whole time and the ring was defo on her left hand.”

John, 42, went public with his relationship with Shay, 29, in October at the movie premiere for his film Playing With Fire. Have you got something to tell us, guys?

WHAT IS LOVE? LOVE? WHAT IS

Charlotte Crosby & Ryan Gallagher

They enjoyed a whirlwind romance in the South African jungle for the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity, but Charlotte and reality star Ryan have now parted ways.

“When me and Ryan came out of the jungle, I made no secret that I had been in a very long relationship and I wasn’t ready to jump into another one,” explained Charlotte. “I wasn’t looking for something serious, he’s at a stage in his life where

Ne-Yo & Crystal Smith

he is – so we came to a mutual decision that we’d just cool it off.”

Despite their split, Charlotte, 29, insists she and the Married At First Sight star, 31, are still on good terms.

“We are still friends. I love that boy to bits, he’s amazing,” she added.

Charlotte met Ryan just two months after her two-year relationship with Josh Ritchie ended.

We doubt you’ll be single for long, Char!

After weeks of speculation, Ne-Yo has confirmed he is to divorce the mother of his two youngest children.

Publicly discussing the end of their four-year marriage for the first time on podcast Private Talk With Alexis Texas, the Closer singer, 40, said, “It’s slowly but surely becoming public knowledge that myself and my wife have decided to go ahead and get a divorce.”

Insisting there’s no bad blood, he added, “It’s not a sad thing,” and blamed their “personal demons” for their split.

“We realise that our demons don’t mesh and until both of us get a hold of our personal demons, it’s gonna be just difficult for us to stay married.”

The Sex And The City star and his wife Tara have announced the birth of their second son on Instagram.

Posting a picture of the adorable newborn, Chris, 65, wrote, “Down from the heavens comes our second son – Keats! A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” The pair are also parents to Orion Christopher, 12.

Chris and Tara, 37, began dating in the early noughties and got married in April 2012.

JEREMY EDWARDS

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST EVER DATE… Well, I was at boarding school, so it was a bit tricky... it was a pre-arranged snog! It was awkward and horrible, but I think we both wanted to get our first kiss out of the way.

HOW DID FALLING IN LOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME FEEL? Terrifying. You feel butterflies in your stomach when you know they’re gonna be at that place or they walk past you – you feel out of control.

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED HEARTBREAK? Everyone has, and you should – it’s important to have your heart broken, because it makes you more respectful of other people’s hearts. It’s one of the most painful things ever.

WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP? Quite simply respect, because that covers trust and everything else.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN SOMEONE IS THE ONE? The more things you have in common, the more likely you are to survive. The idea of someone being very different to you is kind of cool, but it’s hard to last the distance. WHEN NE? common, the e. The idea of to you is kind e distance.

WHAT LOVE ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 16-YEAROLD SELF? Don’t be so needy. It’s tough, because when you’re a teenager, it’s hard to play it cool. I’ve never been cool, because I wear my heart on my sleeve. E

WHAT LESSONS HAVE PAST RELATIONSHIPS TAUGHT YOU? Shut up and pick your battles. It’s not that important to be right. . It’s

Jeremy has lost 16lb on the SlimFast 3.2.1 Plan. Visit SlimFast.co.uk or @SlimFastUK e stUK