For Coleen Nolan, 2025 promises to be an exciting year. She welcomed a new grandson in November, she’s celebrating her 60th birthday in March and she recently fulfilled her childhood dream of buying an idyllic farm in Staffordshire with enough land for her 30 pets.
She’s also heading into the new year as a single woman after breaking up with her partner, Michael Jones. The couple were together for three-and-a-half years after meeting on Tinder, but Coleen says she’s feeling optimistic about the future.
‘It’s always sad when a relationship ends, even when it’s amicable and there’s no one else involved, but it just reached its natural end,’ reveals Coleen, who was previously married to actor Shane Richie and musician Ray Fensome.
‘I’m busy with work and the farm, and I felt I didn’t have the space for a relationship. But I’m feeling confident about 2025. I’m not thinking about another relationship and won’t be going on any more dating apps. If life decides it wants me to meet someone and it happens organically, that’s lovely, but I’d hope they’d have their own life and we’d meet now and again, rather than have a 24/7 relationship.’
After going through the heartache of two divorces and being single for a few years when her marriage to Ray ended, Coleen believes she’s stronger when it comes to navigating relationships.
She says, ‘Michael was just what I needed after being on my own for three years, and I think we were good for each other. The difference is, in the past, when I thought my marriages were ending I still tried for another two or three years, but now I’m about to turn 60, I don’t have time to wonder whether something is right or wrong; if it doesn’t feel right, I need to end it.’
Coleen says she isn’t daunted by getting older and feels grateful to get the chance to celebrate another milestone, especially after losing her sister Bernie to breast cancer in 2013 when she was just 52.
‘Bernie would have loved to still be here, and she’s not. If you lose people when they’re quite young, it makes you appreciate mortality more, so I’m grateful,’ she says. ‘I’m turning 60 feeling strong and confident, and quite proud of what I’ve achieved, especially in the past few years when I’ve achieved it on my own. Of course, I still lie in bed at night worrying about how I’m going to pay the bills, but it gives me the incentive to work hard, and that’s good.’
She’s not planning a big celebration for her 60th, though, preferring to celebrate quietly with loved ones. She says, ‘My 40th and 50th birthdays were big events, but they cost a lot of money, so this year I just want to be surrounded by friends and family, even if they come here for a little party.’
Health has become more of a priority for Coleen in her fifties and she’s keen to smash the taboos around women’s health issues. She’s currently working with Always Discreet to highlight the problem of bladder leaks, which she’s experienced herself.
She says, ‘It’s so important to talk about this stuff. One in three women suffers from bladder leaks and a high percentage feel embarrassed by it. We need to put it out there that it’s common and doesn’t just affect older people. I had my first child when I was 23 and that’s when my problems started. I’m lucky that it’s not debilitating for me, but just laughing, sneezing or coughing can make it happen. It’s good to be able to talk about it and to know there are amazing products out there and that pelvic floor exercises help.’
Coleen eats a plant-based diet and says it’s transformed the way she feels. She says, ‘I’m 100% vegetarian and probably 80% vegan, and health-wise it’s changed my life. I was living on painkillers for joint pain, but after being veggie for two weeks, I never had to take another painkiller.’
When it comes to exercise, Coleen admits she hates the gym, but working on her farm keeps her fit. ‘It’s three hours of mucking out horses, then dog walking, then sorting out the goats, ducks and chickens. I’m getting exercise and starting to lose weight doing something I love,’ she says.
Coleen has been part of the Loose Women panel for 24 years and says she treasures the friendships she’s made. ‘We’re good friends, as well as colleagues. Ruth and I will be friends forever outside of work and the same goes for Brenda, Janet and Christine,’ she smiles. ‘The problem is, when people see us disagreeing on air over an opinion, it’s “Loose Women at war”, but they never do that with men. If we hated each other as much as some people say we do, we wouldn’t still be going 25 years later.’
For Coleen, home and family bring her joy – she has sons Shane, 35, and Jake, 31, from her marriage to Shane Richie, and she shares daughter Ciara, 23, with Ray. She’s also a proud gran to Shane’s daughter and Jake’s newborn son. ‘Jake and his fiancée live in London, but I want to babysit as much as I can when I’m there for Loose Women. They’re going to get sick of me!’ she laughs.
And Coleen is having a NYE party at her house to bring everyone together. She says, ‘I always throw a New Year’s Eve party and this year my family are coming over from Blackpool and my kids will be here with their partners, and everyone will get to meet the new baby. I’m so looking forward to it!’
Always Discreet has partnered with Coleen to highlight the importance of daily pelvic strengthening exercises. For protection against bladder leaks, try Always Discreet pads, liners and pants. Visit alwaysdiscreet.co.uk