CityLife

Snubbed Nolan to strike out on own at Pride

PIANO WOMAN: Anne Nolan by Peter Richardson

SHE’S the singing sister uncermoniously left out of The Nolans’ big reunion tour this autumn. And Anne Nolan still can’t get over her siblings Coleen, Maureen, Linda and Anne agreeing to the comeback without her.

But the 58-year-old singer, part of the original Nolans line-up who recorded smash-hit I’m In The Mood For Dancing, isn’t letting it get her down – and has even agreed to a starring appearance of her own at this year’s Manchester Pride festival.

Anne says: “I’m not bitter, I’m just angry and upset with my sisters”.

Her sisters, announcing their comeback, claimed Anne did not want to join in as she had a great job working for the official receiver.

But Anne says: “The truth is I would have loved to have done the tour.

“I’ve never had a proper explanation as to why they didn’t want me. I spoke to the record company, but every reason they gave just wasn’t viable – first they said I wasn’t high profile enough, then they said I wasn’t in the band in its heyday, which of course I was.

"Coleen wasn’t even in the group when I’m In The Mood for Dancing first came out.

“So, I can only think the real reason is a row I had with Coleen’s husband, Ray, three years ago. But I thought that had been resolved.”

Anne fears the comeback snub leaves no way back for the once-close singing family who found fame in the ’80s with their disco hits.

She says: “I now have to read my sisters in the paper saying that I’m trying to sabotage the tour, which I’m not. I actually hope the tour is a great success.

“But I wouldn’t go and watch them, it would be too hurtful for me. I can’t bring myself to speak to them any more.

“We used to talk to each other 24/7, we phoned each other and would go out socially together. It’s very sad. I always thought we’re a close family, but it seems we’re not. I can’t see it being resolved.

“It’s terrible because people come up to me and say, ‘Oh, I hear you’re going back on tour with your sisters’, and I have to explain to them that I’m not.” Anne says she’s now trying to think positively about her future – and so agreed to the starring role of her own at this year’s Pride, appearing on bank holiday Monday, August 31, in the city.

She says: “Pride will be great fun.

“We used to sing at a lot of gay clubs and we had such a great time, and a wonderful reaction from the audience.

“I’m sure I’ll be absolutely dying of nerves. Of course I’ll sing I’m in The Mood For Dancing and I’m just thinking what else to sing. Probably I Am What I Am will be in there, too!”

She sighs: “I can’t sit around thinking about what should have been. I have to think about what will be. And do you know what? Even if they offered me £1m now I wouldn’t do the Nolans tour. For me it’s not about the money, it’s about loyalty and respect and that’s all gone now as far as my sisters are concerned.”

For details of Anne’s gigs see anne-nolan.com and tickets for the Pride Big Weekend, call 0871 230 7159.