Coleen Nolan's Emotional Admission on Loose Women
Coleen Nolan has made a deeply personal and emotional confession during a recent episode of the ITV lunchtime chat show Loose Women. The television personality, aged 60, revealed that she experiences profound feelings of guilt for continuing to love her father, Tommy Nolan, despite his history of abusing other members of their family. This candid discussion occurred on Tuesday's edition of the programme, where Coleen was joined by fellow panellists Kaye Adams, Janet Street-Porter, and Lisa Riley.
Revelations About a Troubled Past
The conversation was prompted by the panel's reaction to a recent interview with Gisèle Pelicot, whose ex-husband Dominique Pelicot was involved in a shocking trial where he admitted to drugging and raping her over a decade, while also inviting numerous men to abuse her while she was unconscious. This case became the largest trial of its kind in the country's history. Coleen used this context to open up about her own family's painful experiences.
Coleen Nolan and her siblings rose to fame in the 1970s as The Nolan Sisters, with their father Tommy managing their careers until his death in 1998. However, it was only later in life that Coleen discovered he had abused other relatives. She explained, "It's been well-documented, when I got later into my twenties, I found things out about my dad and what had gone on there. I won't go into specifics but things had happened. The shock of it for one thing, and then the way that it affects everyone so differently, it splinters out."
A Complex Relationship with Her Father
Despite these revelations, Coleen emphasised that she never suffered any abuse herself and maintained a "great relationship" with her father. She described how this has created an internal conflict, stating, "For me, what was astonishing for me, was finding out things that had happened. As a grown child, you have a moment as a child, where you go 'Oh so he didn't love me then,' and I hated myself for thinking that."
This guilt has manifested in practical ways, such as her reluctance to display photographs of her father in her home. Coleen shared, "I've only recently put a picture up of me and my mum and dad from when I was little because I feel I'm being disloyal to other members." She noted that on social media, there are no posts about her father's birthday compared to her mother's, and she refrains from sharing such content to avoid disrespecting those who were hurt.
Navigating Family Dynamics and Emotions
When asked by co-star Kaye Adams if she ever doubted the abuse allegations, Coleen firmly stated that she never did, acknowledging the bravery of those who came forward. She said, "I actually did believe it because I knew it wouldn't be unless it was true, and I'd never call anyone a liar who has been brave enough to come out and who has held that in for years, who waited, in a way, for my dad to pass away before they could come out and say it."
Coleen expressed the ongoing emotional turmoil, describing it as a "minefield of emotions." She reflected, "It's hard because I'm still the baby of the family, and I didn't experience that. I loved him greatly. I hate what my dad did and I feel guilty by saying I loved my dad. I had a great time with my dad. It makes me feel guilty. Am I being disrespectful to the ones who didn't?" She concluded by relating to the Pelicot interview, noting how such trauma can splinter families and take years to heal.
