Coleen Nolan has revealed that losing 3.5 stone has completely changed the way she feels about herself — including behind closed doors.
The 61-year-old star, who recently signed up for Celebs Go Dating in the hope of finding love again, admitted she now feels more confident, happier in her clothes and far less insecure than before.
Speaking candidly about her transformation, Coleen explained that her weight loss has made a huge difference to her self-esteem. She said: “I feel more confident, I definitely feel better. When I put clothes on I feel like ‘yeah’, whereas before I’d go ‘that will do, that looks alright’.”
And when asked whether that confidence now extends to the bedroom, the star laughed as she joked that even her children are tired of hearing about her love life.
Coleen insisted that being with the right person should make insecurities disappear, saying: “If it’s the right guy, then it shouldn’t matter.”
The former singer also admitted the dating show has changed her emotionally. According to Coleen, she is now far more open about what she wants in relationships and no longer tries to “protect” everyone else at her own expense.
She confessed: “I’ve learnt to be more transparent and stop trying to protect people. I should start trying to protect myself.”
The TV star revealed she joined the show after watching close friend Kerry Katona find happiness with partner Paolo on a previous series. Coleen said seeing Kerry’s journey inspired her to finally take another chance on love after struggling with dating apps on her own.
Despite being famous for decades through Loose Women and her music career, Coleen admitted she still feels uncomfortable around celebrity culture and would much rather spend time quietly at home on her farm in wellies with no makeup on.
She also opened up about what she wants from a future partner — describing her ideal man as romantic, funny, caring and emotionally supportive.
One of the most emotional moments came when she admitted what she truly misses most about being in a relationship. Coleen shared: “Those big strong arms that go round you when you’ve had a really rough day, that’s what I miss.”
Although she says she is perfectly capable of being alone, the presenter admitted she still believes deeply in love and hasn’t ruled out marriage for a third time — despite two divorces already behind her.
Coleen was previously married to Shane Richie and later musician Ray Fensome, but says she still considers herself “very romantic.”
The star also confessed that, despite her confident personality on television, she is actually shy and deeply insecure underneath it all.
Reflecting on filming the dating show, Coleen admitted she was terrified walking into the first mixer event and would “rather have had a root filling on every tooth” than approach strangers for chats.
But now, she says everything has changed.
“Gradually I walk in and I’m like ‘do you want to come for a chat?’.”
