We’re closer than we’ve ever been’
Coleen and Maureen Nolan on the new reality show, which sees the sisters opening up their hearts and singing their hit single…
How much fun did you have doing this? COLEEN, 55: The last family holiday I went on was 20 years ago, when there was something like 27 of us in Florida. After that, I swore never again, because it was just chaos for me. I had trepidations about being together 24/7. I thought we might get off the ship and not be talking, but it’s been one of the best things we ever did – and it’s actually brought us closer together than we’ve ever been. It was so much fun, every part of it.
MAUREEN, 66: We honestly just had the most amazing time – and the ship was beautiful.
And currently you’re all single – at the same time?
COLEEN: Well, we’re the Nolan sisters – we do everything together! It’s quite nice to all be in the same boat.
Any romance on the cards? MAUREEN: We did see some handsome men, but as Linda says, never date a man you could have breastfed – or colleagues you could have given birth to… Mainly, at our age it’s more of a, ‘Wow, he’s nice’. And then, ‘Oh my God, he looks 12!’
COLEEN: None of us are crying ourselves to sleep because we’re on our own. Personally, I’m loving the independence. Would I rule out a romance? No. I’d never rule it out. I love ‘love’, but only if it’s right.
We see you opening up to the cameras...?
COLEEN: We all forgot, genuinely, that the cameras were there. And it was lovely to have those moments where we just sat down and reminisced, or talked about our own insecurities or health issues – and we really do go into detail! To hear Linda [who’s receiving treatment for breast cancer] open up about what she’s living with was really very moving for me, and I don’t think the girls ever truly knew about how insecure I’ve been over the years – whether it’s to do with body image or whatever. We literally discuss everything…
What was it like to perform your classic hit again?
MAUREEN: That was nervewracking, because obviously we’ve been singing since we were children and it’s not a case of, ‘Let’s have fun and it doesn’t matter what it’s like’, because it ALWAYS matters what it’s like. It’s a hard song to sing!
COLEEN: This was the first performance without Bernie [who passed away from breast cancer in 2013], which made it more moving, but also more important – because we’ve got a lot to live up to. Only Bernie can sing that song the way it’s meant to be sung. Performing it was kind of a sad moment, as it reminded us that Bernie’s no longer with us.
How has lockdown been for you? COLEEN: I managed to move house two days before, so there was loads to keep me occupied. And my cat had kittens! So, on the days when I feel a bit bored or down, it’s like, ‘Right – kitten time!’
MAUREEN: I’ve been bingewatching boxsets and eating chocolate…
Will you be watching this? COLEEN: Oh God, no! I’m in lockdown with my kids – I’ll probably wait to see what their reaction is.
MAUREEN: If lockdown’s over, by then we’ll have a Nolans watching party. Any excuse for a get together!