Coleen Nolan Faces Grief And Renewal In 2026

Coleen Nolan, the beloved singer and television personality, is no stranger to life’s twists and turns. As she turns 60, she’s facing a year that she describes as both “exciting and a bit scary”—a sentiment that resonates deeply as she continues to process the loss of her sister Linda Nolan, who died in January 2025 at the age of 65 after a long and public battle with secondary breast cancer. It’s a time of reflection, resilience, and, perhaps most notably, unapologetic honesty from a woman who has grown up in the public eye and isn’t afraid to share her journey.

In a recent interview with My Weekly, Coleen opened up about her approach to the new year, admitting she’s abandoned the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. “I kind of like not knowing what the future holds,” she said, embracing the uncertainty that 2026 brings. For Coleen, the future is a mix of anticipation and apprehension, shaped in large part by the profound grief that has followed her through the loss of not just Linda, but also her sister Bernie, who died from breast cancer in 2013 at just 52.

Linda’s death, in particular, hit Coleen “like a ton of bricks,” as she told Yahoo in their Unapologetically series. “She’d had breast cancer for 20 years and kept fighting. I convinced myself she’d outlive us all,” Coleen reflected. The sisters’ bond was forged from childhood, performing together as The Nolans—an Anglo-Irish pop group that catapulted the family to fame. “We grew up performing together, lived together until we met partners, and worked together; we were always incredibly close. It hits you: two of us are gone.”

The shadow of cancer has loomed large over the Nolan family. In addition to Bernie and Linda’s battles, their sister Anne, now 75, has survived breast cancer twice. Coleen herself was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2023, and their brother Brian, 71, received the all-clear from prostate cancer just last year. These experiences have made Coleen vigilant about her health: “I check myself, but I also see a specialist every year for a proper examination,” she said, stressing the importance of early detection and regular screenings. “Anne, my sister, survived cancer twice because she went straight away both times. Linda and Bernie left things too long initially.”

The weight of loss, and the complex emotions that come with it, inspired Coleen to write her best-selling book, A Hand to Hold, released in 2025. The project became both a personal outlet and a source of comfort for others navigating grief. “I still pick it up and read certain chapters,” she admitted. “What I learned is that grief never affects two people the same way. Everyone grieves differently. Some need to go straight back to work; others need space. We can be judgmental – we see someone smiling after a loss and think, ‘Why are they smiling?’ But if that gets them through, be happy for them.” Coleen made a point to include grief for animals as well, recognizing that pets are family and their loss can be just as profound.

Not all of Coleen’s challenges have been private. As a staple on Loose Women for over 25 years, she’s become known for her candid opinions—sometimes sparking controversy, often inviting scrutiny. “Everyone’s entitled to an opinion,” she told Yahoo. “But sometimes those opinions are based on made-up stories in the press, and that’s frustrating. You have to develop a certain armour. I pretend sometimes that I don’t care – ‘They don’t know me’ – but occasionally it does hurt.” She’s learned to navigate the pitfalls of cancel culture and the relentless gaze of social media, noting, “As I’ve got older, I’ve become more confident and secure in myself… Now I’m like, ‘I’m not apologising anymore.’ Unless I’ve genuinely hurt someone, of course.”

Family dynamics have also played a pivotal role in Coleen’s story. On a recent episode of Loose Women (January 21, 2026), she reflected on a painful period of estrangement from some of her sisters—a rift that only began to heal after Bernie’s death. “It’s been well highlighted about me and my sisters back in the day falling out. We kind of said sorry that we hadn’t spoken, but then we didn’t say sorry because I thought I was wrong,” she shared, prompted by a discussion of Brooklyn Beckham’s public family feud. The experience underscored for her the power—and limitations—of apologies in mending family wounds.

Despite the heartbreak, Coleen’s life is far from joyless. She’s found solace and strength in her smallholding in Staffordshire, where she cares for around 30 animals. The physical demands of farm life have improved her fitness over the past year and a half, she explained, and the daily routines offer a sense of purpose. Her home is a hub of multi-generational living: her daughter and her family live in a cottage annexe on the property, and Coleen jokes about the constant flow of visitors. “They treat my house like a 24-hour supermarket. I keep joking I’m putting chains on the gate so they can’t come and nick my toilet roll!” she laughed. The arrangement, she said, keeps her young and connected, even as the roles have shifted and she now looks to her children for advice—especially when it comes to technology.

Professionally, Coleen’s ambitions remain undimmed. She’s currently touring with her show This Is Me, inviting fans to experience her life and career up close. Yet one dream remains tantalizingly out of reach: a spot on Strictly Come Dancing. “I’ve always, always wanted to do Strictly. They’ve never asked me – even though I have literally pleaded, begged and put my life on the line for them,” she admitted, recalling her fond memories of competing on Dancing on Ice. Still, she holds out hope that the call will come one day.

As for the idea of reuniting The Nolans for a tour, Coleen is unequivocal: “It wouldn’t feel right for us to reunite and go back out on tour as The Nolans without Bernie and Linda. It would just make me miss them more than I already do.” The family’s musical legacy is inseparable from the sisters who are no longer here, and for Coleen, honoring their memory means knowing when to let go.

Asked if she has any regrets, Coleen is quick to answer. “No. I have a sign on my wall that says, ‘Only regret the things you didn’t try.’ I live by that. I’ve made decisions that hurt me, and I’ve experienced things that weren’t right, but everything – good and bad – has led me to where I am today, and I’m happy.”

Through it all—the public scrutiny, the family feuds, the relentless march of time—Coleen Nolan continues to live, as she puts it, “unapologetically.” And in doing so, she offers a hand to hold for anyone learning to carry on after loss.