The Nolans: ‘We remember Bernie every day’
The Nolans open up to Woman’s Own about performing without their sister for the first time
The Nolans first shot to fame back in the 1970s, with four sisters, Anne, Maureen, Linda and Bernie, releasing their hit I’m In The
Mood For Dancing in 1979 – before younger sister Coleen joined the group the following year.
Since then, the sisters have all had their ups and downs, with Coleen, 55, arguably the most famous as a Loose Women regular. But breast cancer has caused the family huge heartbreak.
Bernie tragically died in 2013 at the age of 52, due to breast cancer. Linda, 61, was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer in 2017, and Anne, 69, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 – although she recovered. Now, taking the chance to grab every moment of life together as a family, the sisters have embarked on a cruise where they perform as part of their TV series The Nolans Go Cruising. They spoke to Woman’s Own via video chat during lockdown about holidaying together, growing older and their health fears...
This was your first holiday together in 20 years! How was it?
Coleen: We’re grown, independent women now, so I thought one of us could end up overboard after two weeks on a cruise ship together, but we really bonded, I feel even more close to them now.
Maureen: It was brilliant. Pure fun, just like old times!
Linda: Like no time had passed.
It must have been odd to have spent so much time together and then not be able to see each other at all through lockdown…
C: Initially, when we first got off the cruise, you think, ‘Oh, this will be nice, having a little break from each other and going home,’ but we bonded so closely, that, yeah, I’ve really missed them. But we’ve been Whatsapping each other every day.
What was it like performing together again?
L: We were so nervous before going on stage, but once we went on, it was amazing. C: Oh my god, I was euphoric after. We were on such a high. It was just lovely. I wouldn’t in a million years think I could sing it as good as Bernie, but I gave it my best shot.
How much did you talk about Bernie on your trip?
Anne: We talk about Bernie all the time and her legacy will always live on. C: Every place we went on the cruise, we were like, ‘Bernie would have loved this.’ She was such a massive part of our lives. People always ask if we have special days where we remember Bernie, but I remember her all the time – she’s in my conversation at some point every day.
And how are you doing, Linda?
It is what it is. Sometimes I’m scared about the future and other times I’m absolutely fine. My main focus is ensuring my mental health is as good as it can be. M: We all just have to keep an eye on ourselves, as well as each other. C: Linda’s a machine. That girl, she just gets on with it. I don’t know how she does it, but she does.
What was your favourite part of the cruise?
C: My favourite day was in Barcelona because I was trying to set Linda up on a dating website, it was so funny. We were swiping right, and she was getting all these random messages.
Maureen and Anne go for a run in the first episode. Did you not want to join in, Coleen?
Do I look like somebody that goes running around the street, let alone a ship? Linda couldn’t go because of her hips and her arthritis and I said I needed to stay and keep her company. So, you know, I would have been there!
Would you perform together again after this?
C: I don’t think I could ever do a full tour again with Bernie not there.
● The Nolans Go Cruising, Tuesdays from 7 July at 10pm on Quest Red and available to view on dplay