Category Entertainment News

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan says losing her big sister Linda Nolan in January caused her to spiral downwards – and explains how therapy has saved her

Coleen Nolan lost a second sister in the New Year when her big sister Linda died, 20 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Her death was attributed to pneumonia, and “happened so quickly”, Coleen said, that it sent her on a downward spiral and she “lost her mojo for everything”.

Coleen, 60, took time off from her regular job on the Loose Women panel, and left much of the running of the house and her small farm to daughter Ciara, who lives with her fiancé Maxx in a separate annexe on Coleen’s property. “Linda had cancer for 20 years and was so positive,” Coleen told OK! during an exclusive interview.

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She continued, “I got to a point where I thought she’d outlive us all. Then when it happened, it happened so quickly. Afterwards, I didn’t want to get out of bed. It was overwhelming.

“My kids literally didn’t leave my side and when I needed to be alone, they would be in the next room. Ciara took control of everything and everyone that came round. I’d be asked to do something and say ‘yes’, and she’d jump in and tell them no, I wasn’t ready. ”

Linda died on January 15 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, following Bernie Nolan’s death in 2013, aged just 52.

A statement released by Linda’s agent Dermot McNamara after her death said: “She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments. Linda’s legacy extends beyond her incredible achievements in music and entertainment. She was a beacon of hope and resilience, sharing her journey to raise awareness and inspire others. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. “

Dermot also acknowledged her achievements as a singer, West End star, TV personality, charity campaigner, author and a founding member of The Nolans – who sold more than 30million records, performed for President Gerald Ford and toured with Fran Sinatra.

Linda’s death came just a few months before Coleen’s milestone 60th birthday, and the straight-talking TV personality said it changed her perspective on the occasion. She started questioning her own mortality, she said, and didn’t want to go to work or socialise.

It was only when Coleen, who has just launched her own YouTube channel about life on her farm, sought help from a therapist that things started to improve.

Sex Education star Simone Ashley will return to screens in the fourth season of Bridgerton, and the actress has opened up about filming intimate scenes for the hit Netflix show

Bridgerton sensation Simone Ashley has opened up about feeling “very safe and comfortable” while shooting steamy scenes for the smash-hit series, Bridgerton. The star of Sex Education, who is also on the cusp of dropping her first album, labelled the Netflix sensation Bridgerton as pure “fantasy”.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, she said: “It’s about, ‘What if?’ and how love conquers all. Bridgerton represents nudity with a sense of romance, and I felt very safe and comfortable in what I was choosing to show to the world.”

With the fourth instalment of the period drama set to hit screens next year, Ashley shared with the publication: “‘That show just gets bigger and bigger. Everyone has gone off to do incredible things, but we come back and it’s like time hasn’t moved. “

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Recounting her bold move to Los Angeles at the tender age of 18, she revealed: “I was really scrappy. Since I was little, if I wanted something, I would do anything I could to get it. So, I took some modelling jobs to pay the bills and got into acting through that. “

Gracing the digital cover of Harper’s Bazaar, Ashley divulged that her upcoming album was born out of a recent split. She explained: “It’s going to be somewhat confessional… and beautiful and messy.

“Good songs don’t come from times when my life is regimented and predictable. They come when I am feeling vitality, and usually you either feel that way when your heart’s broken, or you’re euphoric. This work has been an amazing channel to put all those feelings into. “

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This new career move comes after Ashley’s recent role in rom-com Picture This. Following the release of that movie, the Bridgerton star opened up about the importance of diversity in romantic-comedies.

The Sex Education icon, who was born to Tamil parents, stars as photographer Pia – who is juggling a failing business while dealing with the arrival of her ex and her parents’ concern for her love life. The feel-good movie was released on Amazon Prime Video on 6 March and also stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin.

She added: “I would say the younger me is kind of like, ‘Oh my gosh, we did a rom com and it’s an Indian girl leading it! ‘” Although she wishes she could have seen diverse characters when she was younger, she hopes Picture This helps with it. She said: “To put it simply… When it comes to this movie, I just want brown women to have it and to just win! “

Mel B is tying the knot with her long-term partner today at a lavish ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral along with a star-studded guest list

Emma Bunton has unveiled her secret role at Mel B’s wedding saying ‘I can’t wait’ for the special day. The Spice Girls member is getting ready for her best friend’s wedding today which is due to take place at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Emma took to her Instagram stories where she shared photos of herself dressed up ready for the occasion. She looked as stunning as ever in a pale pink long sleeved dress along with a pink fascinator and white clutch bag.

She finished off her look with sparkly strappy heels and a full glam makeup look. She wrote over the first photo: “Oh happy day! ! “

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She then shared a second snap where she posed with her family and wrote: “Love is in the air. ” Emma’s post comes as it was revealed that she will be singing at Mel’s wedding today.

The star explained that she would be singing at the ceremony and that she was “so excited” to be there to celebrate. Emma told The Mirror: “I am so excited to be here. I can’t wait for the wedding.”

Mel B is marrying her long-term partner Rory McPhee today surrounded by friends and family. However, Emma is the only Spice Girls member who will be there as the other three, all for different reasons, won’t be there.

Emma will be there with husband Jade Jones, but Mel C, Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner will not. Insiders say: “Victoria loves Mel but sadly she will be out of the country, and wishes she could be there. Mel C too would have been there but she is on tour in Sweden. They have a great deal of affection for Melanie. “

Victoria was keen to show that Mel was in her thoughts as she posted a picture of herself and Mel looking glamorous at a recent event as she sent Rory and Mel best wishes.

The reason for Geri’s absence has not been confirmed for sure, but she is said to have a more strained relationship with Mel than the others.

Insiders say she was left mortified after Mel claimed on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories in 2019 that she was intimate with Geri while they were in the Spice Girls.

Plenty of well-known faces have already arrived for the special ceremony. Comedian Alan Carr was seen along with Celebrity Big Brother star, Angellica Bell.

They were joined by pregnant comedy star, Katherine Ryan, and her husband, Bobby Koostra along with model Daisy Lowe and her husband, Jordan Saul.

Presenter, Gaby Roslin looked stunning as she made her way inside St Paul’s cathedral, sporting a gorgeous beige silk dress and matching hat with a cream ribbon. While Mel’s sister Danielle Brown has also been seen arriving and revealed that she would be doing the first reading in the ceremony.

Mel B has arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral in London for her lavish wedding to fiance and hair stylist Rory McPhee, revealing that two dress designers were required

Spice Girls star Melanie Brown has arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral for her wedding to hair stylist Rory McPhee, revealing her stunning bridal gown. The Spice Girls star stepped out in a long, white dress with a sweetheart neckline.

Meanwhile, mesh material – which featured small pearls around the neck and cuffs of the dress – covered her arms and décolletage. The singer is being walked down the aisle by close friend and journalist James Steen, who is giving Mel away. Mel’s father Martin died in 2017 after a five-year battle with myeloma cancer.

The 50 year old globally renowned star has finally found the “luv of my life” with close family friend and hair stylist Rory McPhee, who she was engaged to for three years.

The star is marrying at St Paul’s Cathedral – the same venue that held the wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana back in 1981.

Speaking about her wedding dress designer, Mel told WWD earlier this year: “I found an amazing bridal boutique called Evelie in London and in one incredible afternoon, I found two perfect dresses. “

She added: “One beautiful classic dress by Josephine Scott, a British designer and one stunning dramatic dress by a U. S. designer, Justin Alexander. “

The Spice Girl continued to tell the publication: “I’ve since had fittings in London and New York, so it’s a perfect blend of my love for Britain and America. “

And speaking of the type of ceremony she has organised, she explained that it will be “regal. “

She said: “This will be a very formal, English wedding where I want to feel regal and very proper. “

She added: “All the ladies will wear hats or fascinators. Then, I’m having a second ceremony abroad, which will be more informal, sexy, and beautiful. “

Mel went on to say: “It’s so important to feel completely in control of myself, from the way I look, to the place I live, to the people I surround myself with and the clothes that I wear. “

She continued: “My clothes, paid for with my money and chosen by me. “

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Mirror’s shopping writer Grace put a pair of “pyjama jeans” from a Taylor Swift-approved viral brand to the test to see if they could live up to proper denim

Denim is easily the most-worn fabric in my wardrobe, especially through spring and summer. I love a good pair of jeans and am forever searching for the perfect fit. Even though I reach for them almost daily, I’ve been finding them increasingly uncomfortable lately. However, I’m still not ready to give them up.

I tested out a pair of “pyjama jeans” from River Island earlier this year, and couldn’t believe just how comfy they were. And now I’ve found another pair that are potentially even comfier, while still looking like a normal pair of denim jeans.

The style in question are the Halara Flex™ Asymmetric Low Rise Baggy Wide Leg Jeans, currently on sale for £39. 95 down from £58. 95. I hadn’t heard too much about this brand before trying them out, but they actually have the Taylor Swift seal of approval.

Taylor Swift made her first Coachella appearance in six years with her beau Travis Kelce in 2024 and was spotted wearing a TikTok viral £40 skirt. The Breezeful™ High Waisted Pleated 2-in-1 Side Pocket Skirt from Halara gained a huge cult following on TikTok last year thanks to its unusual garter detail.

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The brand is mostly known for its activewear and loungewear, so it’s no suprise to seem them branching out into denim while keeping comfort at the forefront.

When I first opened up the asymmetric jeans, I was a little skeptical as they felt so soft and stretchy, just like a pair of jogging bottoms, and so I was unsure if they would even look like jeans on.

However, as I soon as I slipped into them I had my mind changed. They honestly looked just as good as other denim pieces I own, but felt ten times comfier.

I also appreciated the asymmetric button detailing, as previous pyjama-style denim I’ve tried have kept it pretty simple with design details. But Halara has so many trendy styles to choose from in the Flex Range, from cargo-style jeans to maxi skirts and trendy corset waistcoats.

My only criticims would be that the inside and outside button feel a little flimsy, like they could ping off easily. Despite this, however, I have worn the jeans multiple times and all buttons are still in tact.

Oasis played 23 of their biggest hits at their first reunion show in Cardiff on Friday (July 4) but some fans were left disappointed after one iconic song was left off the setlist

Oasis made a triumphant return after 16 years apart, kicking off their Live ’25 tour at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday (July 4), but fans were united in their dismay over one particular anthem that didn’t make the setlist.

Liam and Noel Gallagher delivered a nostalgic set of 23 Oasis classics to an eager crowd, marking their first joint performance since their explosive split in 2009, with huge hits like Cigarettes and Alcohol, Supersonic, Live Forever, and Wonderwall all featuring on the setlist. But with such an extensive catalogue of hits, it was inevitable some fan favourites wouldn’t feature, leaving many “devastated” at the omission of their most-loved tunes.

Maxi Gonzalez, an avid Oasis follower, shared the night’s setlist on X, quickly becoming swamped with responses from fellow enthusiasts discussing the song selection.

Disappointment was rife among the comments, with fans lamenting the absence of tracks such as Columbia, The Importance of Being Idle, and Don’t Go Away from the evening’s repertoire.

However, the exclusion of Lyla, their hit single from 2005, seemed to resonate most with the audience, with numerous commenters arguing it should have been included in the 23-song lineup.

One supporter remarked: “Lyla would have been the biggest sing-along in history. “

Another suggested: “Take out Bring It On Down for Lyla and it’s perfect. “

The group also opted to leave out the 2002 hit Stop Crying Your Heart Out, which has since become one of Oasis’ most celebrated tracks globally. Other fan favourites, including Songbird and She’s Electric, were notably absent from the performance.

In fact, Oasis performed just one track from their 2002 record, Heathen Chemistry, Little By Little. All remaining numbers were drawn from their initial three albums, Definitely Maybe, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? , and Be Here Now, or were B-sides released during the same period spanning 1994 to 1997.

Numerous supporters acknowledged that the group simply possesses “too many good songs” to satisfy every listener. Others suggested that they might switch up certain tracks for upcoming tour performances, meaning the setlist could vary.

Oasis’ full setlist

• Hello
• Acquiesce
• Morning Glory
• Some Might Say
• Bring It On Down
• Cigarettes & Alcohol
• Fade Away
• Supersonic
• Roll With It
• Talk Tonight
• Half The World Away
• Little By Little
• D’You Know What I Mean
• Stand By Me
• Cast No Shadow
• Whatever
• Live Forever
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Star

Encore

• The Masterplan
• Don’t Look Back In Anger
• Wonderwall
• Champagne Supernova