Anne is the eldest of the Nolan Sisters. Born on 12th November 1950 in Dublin. She has been singing most of her life. She sang with her parents as part of the Singing Nolans, and was the driving force behind the family decision to move
to London and work as the Nolan Sisters. Anne was considered as the 'boss' of the act in its early days. As one of the Nolan Sisters she enjoyed phenomenal success. Highlights include a major European Tour supporting Frank Sinatra in which they played at the most prestigious concert halls in Europe. The Sisters aslo supported Engelbert Humperdink at a series of concerts in America. In 1976 as part of the Nolan Sisters, Anne toured South Aftrica on a major concert tour. The Nolan Sisters have appeared in countless other UK and oversea tour. Anne has also appeared in two Royal Variety Performances. The walls of Anne's home feature her many gold, silver and platinum discs.. The Nolans success in Japan was incredible. Many record breaking achievements still stand in Japan. Including the biggest selling British girl band, winner of a Japanese Grammy and grand prix winners of the Tokyo Music Festival. They sold almost 30 million records with 13 million in Japan alone - that is more than the Beatles! Their 1980 single 'I'm In The Mood For Dancing' is still in the top ten selling singles of all time in Japan.
Anne recorded eleven singles with the act and after initial chart success, she left the act briefly to have her first child, Amy. Although she claimed at the time that she wanted to retire from show business, she missed being part of the act and returned, almost two years to the day after her departure. Her return brought much success for the group including more trips to Japan where the Nolans' success continued to flourish. The Nolans signed a six album deal with Panasonic that were all successful. A further six greatest hits and re-releases all earned chart places.
the act continued to tour and record as well as appear on many TV shows. Anne had a second daughter, Alex in 1987. The Nolans have many Summer Season shows to their credit too including headlining at Cleethorpes and being part of the bill for the Grand Theatre Blackpool's centenery show. That particular show was the longest in the theatre's history, lasting from early May until November. The show played to packed houses, twice a night and was attended by Her Majesty The Queen.
Since then The Nolans line up changed. Anne and Maureen continued after Linda, Coleen and then Bernie left the act to retire and try a solo career respectively. Shortly after the duo were joined by Anne's eldest daughter Amy and friend Julia who completed the line up. As well as their own act, Anne and Maureen appeared as part of the Reelin' and Rockin' tour. The show completed two UK tours, beofre going on to tour Scandinavia, Australia, Hong Kong and on the QE2. The show also undertook a Summer Season show in the UK. The Nolans finally disbanded in 2005.
As well as her singing achievements Anne has starred in over 20 professional Pantomimes playing Snow White, Robin Hood, Cinderella and more recently, the Wicked Queen. She has also appeared in two films. Anne even found time to appear in a one off episode of Channel 4's top rated soap 'Brookside'. Anne shunned the limelight for a while accepting selected work that she found appealing. In particular singing with big bands. She is an avid fan of swing music and the lure of singing with such a band has drawn her back on stage. Anne released her best selling Autobiography, Anne's Song in 2008 and appeared on several radio and TV shows to promote the book and give insight into her revelation that her Father had sexually abused her for many years throughout her childhood. In 2010 she found herself in the recording studio and the following year she released her debut solo album 'Just One Voice' which had a general release in the UK and was sold Internationally too. She has released a total of four singles. the first a cover of the Leo Sayer smash hit 'When I Need You' this song saw part of the Royalties being donated to a Save The Children Appeal for Bangladesh. She follwed that with a new song written by Bob Puzey the composer of 'I'm In The Mood For Dancing' the single entitled ' You've Heard The Wrong Story' recieved considerable airplay and heavy promotion. In 2016 she released a Christmas single 'Christmas Time Is Here' and in 2017 she was one half of a duet with Gary Curtis the two singers released the single 'Why'. Anne was no stranger to Gary - the two had worked together on a Christmas single with several celebrities singing a part each, a few years earlier. She also appeared in her first stage musical in the mid 2010s - She topped the bill in the comedy 'What's All The Fuss About' which was a muscial adaptation of the Shakepeare play 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Anne is a Grandmother of Vinny and Nevaeh who are Alex and her husband Steve's children and to Ryder who is Amy's son. It was revealed in 2017 that Anne had successfully screen tested for the top rated UK soap 'Coronation Street' The show could use Anne if a suitable part arises. Anne had her own battle with Cancer in 2000, a battle she subsequently won. The victory gave her impetus to raise awareness about Breast Cancer. Her Mother died from Alzheimer's Disease in 2008. Since then Anne has been a champion of the cause to find a cure. She has supported many charitable endeavours that have included memory walks, sing a longs and has even her own 'In The Mood For Caring' charity ball taking place in Blackpool in October 2017. One other cause that Anne and Denise were invited to get involved with was Niemann Pick Disease. This cruel disease is, in effect, Alzheimer's, but it differs in that it affects children. She has helped raise funds for this too. Record companies in Japan and The UK continue to release Nolans albums with a Japanese Greatest Hits being released in 2017 and a much anticipated UK Greatest Hits with remixes of some of their songs was released in 2018. With her diary looking quite busy it is clear that Anne Nolan is not quite ready to retire just yet.
2018 saw the announcement of a brand new musical 'Anne's Song' the show, based on her best selling Autobiography will feature 23 brand new songs. The script has been co written by Anne herself. The songs are penned by song writer Terry Bradford who famously wrote a Nolan Sisters song 'Harry My Honolulu Lover'. The show hopes to premier soon. In the Summer of 2018 Anne headlined in a Summer Pantomime at Bolton. An entirely new concept. The show was featured on TV and had positive reviews. The second part of her autobiography was later written and Anne released the book in 2023.
Anne recorded music in France in the Spring of 2019. One of the songs she completed is from the soundtrack for the new musical. 'A Different Kind Of Courage' was released online with a promotional video. In September of 2019 Anne announced that she would be topping the bill in Panto in Bolton where her Summer Panto had been such a success. It wasn't long before Quest Red TV approached four of the Nolans with a view to a new reality TV show which they have agreed to appear in. This was filmed outside the UK (February 2020) Anne was asked if she would like to star in Pantomime in Blackpool that year, but felt she wished to be with her family. Cruising with the Nolans appeared on UK screens in Summer 2020. The show, on Quest Red became the most successful UK made programme the channel had ever shown. Anne was offered an Irish tour this year as part of a musical. Sadly due to the Corona Virus Pandemic she had to withdraw. As part of the promotion for 'The Nolans Go Cruising' Anne and her sisters appeared on the hit programme 'All Round To Mrs. Browns'
2020 was a much publicised year for the Nolans, the Sisters heard that a BBC record label were releasing a three disc compilation box set that would feature songs from their UK albums from 1978-1983. For the first time all six sisters would appear on the front cover of a general release album. As the sisters basked in the good news that they had entered the UK top ten for the first time since 1982.
The Nolans were rocked when Anne told them that she had found a lump on her breast which was later confirmed to be cancer. It had been twenty years since she battling and beat cancer before. The cancer was stage three and agressive. The news was not good. Doctors told her that the cancer was a new type that they were not familiar with. Medics decided to attack the growth with everything available. Whilst doctors worked out a treatment plan for Anne, Linda heard, following one of her regular scans, that her cancer had spread to her liver. She was told that the cancer was small and that it could be treated. She too would undergo chemotherapy. Anne commenced the first of her six chemotherapy sessions at the same time as she was treated with the anti cancer drug Herceptin. Linda would follow Anne three weeks later. Staff at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital arranged for the two sisters to be treated simultaneously which came as a great comfort as the Covid restrictions meant that they would not be allowed to have other people with them in the hospital. At least they had each other. Anne's treatment was brutal and she was admitted to hospital three times with a high temperature. One time for eleven days. Anne was crippled with chronic anxiety partly because she couldn't spend time with her daughers or Grand children. As well as the anxiety Anne suffered from every side effect that could present itself. After her second treatment she lost her hair.
Anne who was far too weak to promote the book that she and Linda had written during their treatment. The book, entitled 'Stronger Together' was released and topped the best sellers list. The success of the TV show 'The Nolans Go Cruising' was a blessing and a curse. The TV company were naturally anxious as the show was marketed as a feel good show. To have such negative news prior to its launch might prove counter productive. The girls agreed and decided to not speak publically about their recent diagnosis. However, as their treatment was being carried out in a public hospital and their hair loss was evident it was doubtful that the secret would remain indefinately. Fortunately the public respected their privacy and the news didn't break before Anne and Linda told their story. The high profile interview was aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer. Anne and Linda displayed great courage and humour in telling their story. They refused to wear wigs that they had purchased becuase they wanted the public to be aware. The Nolan Sisters have all spoken out about the disease. By doing so it might help more women to check themselves and seek treatment. The success of 'The Nolans Go Crusing" led to a new series being commissioned, At Home With The Nolans was a four part series that followed the Nolans as they lived their lives in Blackpool during lockdown. It also featured heavily Anne and Linda's cancer treatments. The show was a resounding success. in 2021 Anne, and her Sisters were invited to film a second series of 'The Nolans Go Cruising'. Filming took place in the Summer on board the MSC Virtuosa. Restrictions meant that the ship could only cruise in British waters. The programmes will be broadcast in September 2021. Anne filmed a programme for Irish State channel RTE. During 2021 Anne also took part in an environmental campaign to recylce face masks and volunteered at a Covid Vaccine centre. In November 2021 Anne, along with her sisters was awarded 'Legends of the industry' by the variety club of Great Britian. The children's charity is supported by entertainers and being awarded such an acolade by show business contemporaries is a fitting testimont to Anne's more than sixty year career as a professional singer.
2023 saw Anne appear at the 'Forever Young' festival in Ireland, sharing the stage with Tony Hadley and Go-West. The major festival celebrates music from the eighties. Anne also appeared several times on RTE in Ireland. The release of her second book 'New Beginnings' told her story about her family and of her solo perfomance at Manchester's Gay Pride. Anne also starred in several solo concerts in 2023. Today, Anne enjoyes semi retirement, but....she says, if something came along, that I really wanted to do, I would do it!
LATEST ANNE NOLAN NEWS
May 21st 2022
Anne's second autobiography is released 'New Biginnings'
Click to purchase
JULY 2023
Appearance on Irish TV
JULY 2023 - APPEARANCE AT FOREVER YOUNG FESTIVAL
ARCHIVE NEWS FROM ANNE NOLAN
The Nolans enjoyed filming the second series of The Nolans go cruising. With hit ratings we hope a third series becomes a reality.
NEW BOOK FROM ANNE AND LINDA
CLICK COVER TO PURCHASE THE BOOK
NEW NOLANS RELEASE - OCTOBER 23rd
ANNE'S CANCER RETURNS
On August 3rd The Sun carried a story about Anne's cancer returning. You can read the exclusive interview by clicking here
THE NOLANS GO CRUSING
The Nolans: Go Crusing has been a smash hit for Quest Red TV. With the show receiving some of the highest ratings the channel has ever had. The show follows the Nolan sisters Coleen, Linda, Maureen and Anne as they go on their first shared trip and first singing reunion in decades.The sisters will embark on two cruises around the Mediterranean onboard the MSC Grandiosa and across the eight-episode series they will prepare to perform their hit single I’m In The Mood For Dancing on their final night on the ship in front of their fellow passengers. The ladies bond over visits to beautiful cities and towns, enjoy the luxury treatment on board one of the biggest Cruise ships in the world, while preparing for a grand finale reunion show on the ship. The series will explore themes of loss, finding love in middle age and the strength of female friendships. They will also address issues such as Linda’s fight with incurable breast cancer, low self-esteem, and what single life in middle age means for them. The Nolans: In The Mood For Cruising is the sisters’ first TV show and singing reunion together in decades. Ahead of the show, Coleen said: “The four of us are so excited to go on this trip; there are things that we all want to tick off our bucket lists, and this is definitely one of them! “We want to give Linda the trip and performance of a lifetime!” Linda added: “This trip is going to be a riot and I cannot wait. Also we get to perform together again, and with Anne, and that will be very special.” The news comes after Coleen Nolan admitted her "libido is dead" after making the candid confession that she hasn't had sex for years, in an exclusive interview with Mirror Online. The singer and Loose Women star, 54, divorced second husband Ray Fensome in 2018, saying the "emotional and physical connection" had gone from their relationship. Coleen hasn't ruled out finding love once more, but says she'll never get married again.
ANNE NOLAN GALLERY