Coleen Nolan, 61, opened up in a raw and emotional moment on Celebs Go Dating, revealing a shocking secret from her past: one of her late sisters had slept with her boyfriend while she was in a relationship with him.
The Loose Women star, who tragically lost two sisters — Bernie in 2014 and Linda earlier this year — recalled the betrayal during a conversation with the dating experts on the show.
“I was with him for two years, we lived together, and then he went with my sister,” Coleen admitted, fighting back tears. “It was one of my sisters that’s passed away. I didn’t talk to her about it for 20 years.”
Despite the betrayal, Coleen explained she chose not to let the incident ruin her relationship with her sister. “Everyone was like, ‘How can you be so calm about that?’ And I said, well, I’m not going to lose my sister over him because he’s not worth it.”
Coleen didn’t reveal which sister it was, but the emotional weight was clear as she shared her story.
The show had already been an emotional rollercoaster for the star. Earlier in the episode, she was left “mortified” after being snubbed by a date named Steve. When he awkwardly said, “I hope that after this we can still be friends; I would love to see you again,” Coleen snapped back, “I didn’t come on here to find a friend. I’ve got lots of male friends that I get on great with.”
The former Big Brother star has been navigating single parenthood since splitting from her ex-husband Ray Fensome after 11 years together. Her focus remains on seven-year-old son Reggie James, who she shares with ex Terry Bond.
“Every day is a juggle,” Coleen says. “Running around, trying to get him to clubs and hold down a career — it’s a massive juggling act.”
Fitness is one area where mother and son bond. Once a week, Coleen and Reggie do circuit training together, with Reggie playfully urging his mum: “Come on mum, get up, get up!” She’s also an advocate for youth sports, backing Iceland’s Kits for Kids campaign to provide football kits to grassroots teams.
Meanwhile, Coleen’s career continues to thrive. She has branched out from This Morning with her own shows, including Josie Gibson’s Big Country Build, How to Clean Up for Cash, and Josie’s Taste of the Westcountry. She credits Dermot O’Leary for inspiring her Westcountry culinary project.
The star has faced health and body-image challenges too, revealing a lipoedema diagnosis and undergoing surgery on her calves and arms, describing it as a “last resort.” Even so, she returned to work within two weeks, balancing career, fitness, and single parenthood with determination.
Coleen’s candidness on Celebs Go Dating proves that even with heartbreak and loss, she remains unafraid to face her past, embrace her present, and fight for a brighter future — both personally and professionally.
