CityLife

Apollo to feel like dancing for Nolans reunion

IN THE MOOD AGAIN: The Nolans

THEY’RE going back on tour for the first time in 25 years and The Nolans tell me they won’t be doing things by halves this time.

Singing sisters Coleen, Linda, Bernie and Maureen who have been signed up by record giant Universal, promise they’re to lavish £2m on their new all-singing all-dancing comeback tour – and have even hired Take That’s choreographer, Kim Gavin, to whip up some dazzling routines.

The girls have promised some big surprises on their autumn tour including dazzling dance routines.

And fans snapping up tickets to their Manchester Apollo date are set to be filmed for a DVD that the girls are to release in time for Christmas.

And though they’re all now in their 40s and 50s, the sisters are looking extremely glam.than ever ahead of their reunion
Baby of the group, Loose Women star Coleen, 44, who first revealed plans for a reunion to the M.E.N. earlier this year, tells CityLife: “We’ve been asked so many times but it was just never the right time. It was doing Dancing on Ice that really made me want to get out in front of a live audience again.., so when we were approached this time we all got together and jumped at the chance.

"They are putting £2m into making the show a real spectacular so we really couldn’t miss out.”

The girls say they’ve got some big surprises lined up for the tour, with the show split into four distinct themes.

They’ll be doing their hits from the 70s and 80s – including disco favourite I’m in The Mood for Dancing – as well as girl group anthems old and new.

Coleen says: “We want to get out on the stage and do this for women everywhere, you don’t have to be a size 8 and in your 20s to be fun and fabulous.

“There’s loads of costume changes and fabulous sets – we’re aiming to give Madonna a run for her money in the entertainment stakes.

Girls Aloud

“I have to say we don’t look half bad but I don’t think Girls Aloud should be too worried just yet.”

Wilmslow-based Coleen says the Manchester date will be a particularly special one for the girls who hail from Blackpool, with a host of family and friends turning out to support them, not to mention the Loose Women team.

Coleen adds: “Denise Welch and Sherrie Hewson should be coming along. The Loose Women lot are threatening to get up on stage with us! We all love Manchester and will pull out all the stops for that night.”

Reuniting with her sisters has been particularly poignant for 50-year-old Linda who returns to performing after a tough couple of years in which her beloved husband Brian died and she faced a battle against breast cancer.

Linda says: “It’s so exciting to be back together. I’ve had a terrible couple of years but getting back together has given me a twinkle back in my eye.”

But one woman who won’t be cheering them on is older sister, Anne, 58. Anne was in the group at the time their best-known song, I’m in the Mood for Dancin’, was recorded 30 years ago, unlike Coleen.

"Anne says she wasn’t invited to join the tour and puts the snub down to a row she had with Coleen’s hubby, Ray. In a personal website message to her fans Anne says she feels “all washed up”.

The girls will start rehearsals later in the summer, before releasing a new album.

So, could this be the start of a Take That-style full-time return for The Nolans?“Absolutely,” says Coleen. “We have a new deal with Universal so watch this space, the girls are back in town
and now we’re women we are going to do things a bit differently.”

The Nolans play the Apollo on Tuesday, October 13. £35. Call 0161 832 1111.