Interview: Linda Nolan

In 2006 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a year later she lost her mother and tragically in 2008 she also lost her husband.

“I haven’t worked for 18 months,” she told me from her Blackpool home.

However, things are beginning to pick up for the 50 year-old entertainer.

“My treatment is going well and I’ve started reconstruction surgery.”

Another event that’s helping is the reunion tour with her sisters.

Yes, The Nolans are back!

Originally forming in 1974, the original line-up was Linda, pictured, Maureen, Anne, Bernie and Denise, however Denise left in 1978, just before they hit the big time.

The Nolan Sisters (as they were called at the beginning) released a number of unsuccessful singles from 1974 onwards, and their first chart entry was with Spirit, Body and Soul in 1979. Then came the hit for which they are best remembered.

I’m In The Mood For Dancing, with its unashamed disco beat and strong lead vocals from Bernie, reached number three in the UK charts. It did even better in their native Ireland, reaching one place higher.

But in Japan, it topped the charts, eventually selling over 600,000 copies — a rare event for a Western act.

“I don’t really know why we became so popular in Japan,” Linda said.

“Maybe it’s because they’re very family orientated over there. Colleen (who joined the line-up in 1980, replacing eldest sister Anne) was the favourite.

In 1992, they became the first British group to be awarded the Tokubstsu Kikaku Sho (Japanese Grammy) for best foreign recording artist and they recorded several albums for the Japanese market.

Linda left the group in 1983 to pursue a solo career.

“I had to see if I could have a career of my own. You tend to lose your identity in a band.”

By the time this happened, Anne had rejoined and the line-up of Anne, Maureen, Bernie and Coleen remained together until 1994.

All the sisters have had successful careers, mostly in singing and acting.

Linda proudly said: “We’re actually in The Guinness Book Of Records as four of us (Bernie, Linda, Denise and Maureen) have appeared as the same character in a musical.” The role in question being Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.

Linda herself performed the role of Maggie May in Blackpool for 10 years as well as appearing in other musical shows. Bernie has had much success as an actress — appearing in large roles in both The Bill and Brookside.

Maureen and Denise are frequent performers in musical shows while Anne was the only one who stopped performing and got a “real job” in an office.

Coleen became a presenter on Good Morning and has been a regular on ITV’s Loose Women since 2004. She also took part in Dancing On Ice.

In 2005, The Nolans disbanded, at this point the line-up consisted of Anne and Maureen, along with Anne’s daughter Amy and singer Julia Duckworth.

Then things started happening.

In August 2007, Anne, Maureen, Bernie, Coleen and Linda reunited to perform their biggest hit on Loose Women but dismissed any plans of a full reunion.

Then in June of this year it was announced that Linda, Maureen, Bernie and Coleen would get together for a tour.

“We’ve been asked loads of times to get back together, but the time never seemed right,” Linda explained.

“Then we got a fabulous offer, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of I’m In The Mood For Dancing.”

l The Nolans will be at the Blackpool Opera House on Tuesday. For tickets visit www.nolanstour.com