Denise Nolan (born 6 April 1952) is an Irish singer and theatre performer. She is a member of the Nolans.
Biography Early life Nolan was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 6 April 1952, the third of eight children born to Tommy (26 September 1925 – 1998) and Maureen Nolan (15 December 1926 – 30 December 2007), who also had Anne, Maureen, Linda, Bernie and Coleen, plus Tommy and Brian. The family lived in Raheny, a suburb of Dublin, before moving to Blackpool, England in 1962.
The Nolans
Nolan, alongside her sisters, was part of the singing group The Nolan Sisters. With them, she achieved fame throughout the 1970s, including a top-three album. In 1978, she left the group to start a solo career, performing in cabaret and on board cruise ships, and supporting major acts on their national UK tours. She also had a successful panto career, appearing in more than 25 productions.
Later works Nolan starred in London's musical Blood Brothers as Mrs Johnson.
In February 2020, it was announced that Nolan and her sisters would appear in a new TV series for Quest Red, The Nolans Go Cruising, a rival show to Channel 5's award-winning Cruising with Jane McDonald. Nolan appeared in the second series, in which she performed both solo and as part of the group.
In 2022, Nolan released her debut album, For You, My Love, singing songs from the Great American Songbook and Frank Sinatra.
Personal life Nolan has been in a relationship with musician Tom Anderson since 1977. The couple live between Blackpool and Los Angeles, and got married in June 2024.
Discography
Studio albums YearTitleDetails1972The Singing Nolans Released: June 1972 Label: Nevis Formats: LP1975The Nolan Sisters Released: 1975 Label: Hanover Grand Formats: LP197820 Giant Hits Released: 7 July 1978 Label: Target Formats: LP, MC Released in Japan in February 1981
Singles SingleYear"Blackpool" (as the Singing Nolans)1972"But I Do" (as the Nolan Sisters)1974"(Won't You) Make a Little Sunshine Shine" (as Nolan Sisters)1975"Rain" (as the Nolan Sisters)1976"Thanks for Calling" (as Nolan Sisters)"When You Are a King" (as the Nolan Sisters)"Love Transformation" (as Nolan Sisters)1977"Love Bandit" (as Nolan Sisters)"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (as the Nolan Sisters)1978
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1974 It’s Cliff Richard Herself Performer with The Nolans (2 Episodes) 1977 Seaside Special 1978 Multi-Coloured Swap Shop 1982 The Les Dawson Show Guest (1 Episode) Give Us a Clue Guest Panelist (1 Episode) 1985 Names and Games Guest (1 Episode) 1994 Win, Lose or Draw (British game show) Panelist (5 Episodes) 1999 This Morning Contributor (1 Episode) 2000 Brookside Denise Guest Role (1 Episode) 2017, 2020 Loose WomenHerself Guest Panelist (2 Episodes) 2020 At Home with the Nolans Series Lead (All 4 Episodes) 2021 The Nolans Go Cruising Series Lead (All 6 Episodes) 2025 Good Morning Britain Guest (1 Episode)
References