Anne Nolan (born 12 November 1950) is an Irish singer, songwriter and author. She is a member of the Nolans.

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 1979 Mike Yarwood in Persons Performer with The Nolans (6 Episodes) 1979-1980 Top of the Pops Performer with The Nolans (8 Episodes) 1987 Filthy Rich & Catflap Nolan Sister Guest (1 Episode) 1992 The Word (TV series) Panto Dame Guest Role (1 Episode) 1993 The Ronson Mission Herself Guest (1 Episode) 2000 We Are Family Television Special Brookside Anne Guest Role (1 Episode) 2004 Blackpool Fortune Teller Guest Role (1 Episode) 2007, 2025 Loose Women Herself Musical Performer (4 Episodes) 2013 This Morning Guest (1 Episode) 2016 Why Anne Short Movie 2018-2019 Granada Reports Nolan Sister Contributing Reporter (3 Episodes) 2020 Lorraine Herself Guest (1 Episode) At Home with the Nolans Series Lead (All 4 Episodes) 2020-2021 The Nolans Go Cruising Series Lead (All 14 Episodes) 2021 Steph’s Packed Lunch Guest Panelist (1 Episode) 2023 Jeremy Vine 2024 Four Mothers (2024 film) Dinner Lady Supporting Role 2025 Good Morning Britain Herself Guest Panelist (1 Episode)

Early life Anne Nolan was born in Dublin, Ireland, to Tommy (26 September 1925–1998) and Maureen Nolan (15 December 1926 – 30 December 2007). She is the second of eight siblings and the oldest of the Nolan sisters, preceding Denise, Maureen, Linda, Bernie, and Coleen, respectively; she also has two brothers, Tommy and Brian. The family lived in Raheny, a suburb of Dublin, before moving to Blackpool, England, in 1962.

The Nolans

Anne, along with her sisters, was a part of the singing group the Nolans. The Nolans had a number one hit in 1979 with their song I'm in the Mood for Dancing. It charted at number two on the Irish music chart, and was number one on charts in Japan and South Africa. Anne left the group for a short period of time, between 1980 and 1982, with her sister Coleen stepping in for Anne. During Anne's two-year absence from the group, they won the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival with their song "Sexy Music".

Anne reunited with the Nolans as a five-piece (including Bernie, Coleen, Linda and Maureen) for a one-off performance of "I'm In the Mood for Dancing" for BBC One's All Time Greatest Party Songs, hosted by Tess Daly, which aired on 17 December 2005. They performed the song again on 9 August 2007 on Loose Women, but dismissed any immediate prospect of a full-scale reunion. Uploaded copy of interview. Anne has only missed out on one reunion, which took place in 2009. She returned yet again in 2020, when they reformed, and remained in the group until its disbandment in 2022.

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 1979 Mike Yarwood in Persons Performer with The Nolans (6 Episodes) 1979-1980 Top of the Pops Performer with The Nolans (8 Episodes) 1987 Filthy Rich & Catflap Nolan Sister Guest (1 Episode) 1992 The Word (TV series) Panto Dame Guest Role (1 Episode) 1993 The Ronson Mission Herself Guest (1 Episode) 2000 We Are Family Television Special Brookside Anne Guest Role (1 Episode) 2004 Blackpool Fortune Teller Guest Role (1 Episode) 2007, 2025 Loose Women Herself Musical Performer (4 Episodes) 2013 This Morning Guest (1 Episode) 2016 Why Anne Short Movie 2018-2019 Granada Reports Nolan Sister Contributing Reporter (3 Episodes) 2020 Lorraine Herself Guest (1 Episode) At Home with the Nolans Series Lead (All 4 Episodes) 2020-2021 The Nolans Go Cruising Series Lead (All 14 Episodes) 2021 Steph’s Packed Lunch Guest Panelist (1 Episode) 2023 Jeremy Vine 2024 Four Mothers (2024 film) Dinner Lady Supporting Role 2025 Good Morning Britain Herself Guest Panelist (1 Episode)

Later works Anne released her autobiography, titled Anne's Song, on 27 March 2008. In the book, co-written with Richard Barber, Anne said she had been repeatedly sexually abused by her father, from the age of 11 until she was 15 or 16.The dark secret of Anne Nolan, blackpoolgazette.co.uk; accessed 22 February 2016.

In 2012, Anne Nolan released her solo album, Just One Voice.

In February 2020, it was announced that the Nolans would appear in a new TV series for Quest Red, The Nolans Go Crusing, a rival show to Channel 5's award-winning Cruising with Jane McDonald. In the first series, Anne performed with the group together for the first time in over 10 years. A second series was confirmed with the return of her sister Denise.

In 2021, Anne and sister Linda Nolan released Stronger Together, a book about dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

In November 2021, Anne spoke to the Daily Express about her career struggles as a Nolan member, revealing that the group were not paid correctly. Anne is an ambassador for the Great Pink Run, in which she gave a rare performance to thousands of runners in 2022.

In May 2023, Anne announced a new autobiography, New Beginnings, which was released on 20 May 2023. A paperback version was later released in 2024.

Personal life In 2022, it was announced that Nolan had beaten cancer for the second time.

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 19811979Nolan Sisters Released: 19 November 1979 Label: Epic Formats: LP, MC Released in Japan as Dancing Sisters1984Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Released: 1 November 1984 Label: Towerbell Formats: CD, LP, MC1986Tenderly Released: 1986 Label: Stoic/Spartan Formats: LP1991Playback Part 2 Released: 21 July 1991 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD, MC Momoe Yamaguchi cover album Japan-only releaseRock and Rolling Idol Released: 21 August 1991 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD Kyōko Koizumi cover album Japan-only releaseTidal Wave Released: 21 September 1991 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD J-pop cover album Japan-only release1992The Hottest Place on Earth Released: 21 May 1992 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD Featuring Princess Princess cover songs Japan-only releasePlease Don't Released: 23 September 1992 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD Kayōkyoku cover album Japan-only release2005The Nolans Sing Momoe 2005 Released: 19 January 2005 Label: SMDR GT Music Formats: CD Japan-only release Re-recording of Playback Part 2

EPs and mini-albums YearTitleDetails1972The Singing Nolans (Silent Night) Released: December 1972 Label: Nevis Formats: 7" EP1983Greatest Original Hits – 4 Track E.P. Released: March 1983 Label: Epic Formats: 7" EP1984The Nolans Released: March 1984 Label: Scoop 33 Formats: 7" EP, MC

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"Harry My Honolulu Lover" (as Nolan Sisters)1979"Spirit, Body and Soul" (as Nolan Sisters)"I'm in the Mood for Dancing""Dressed to Kill"1983"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Japan-only release)1985"Goodbye Nothin' to Say""Let's Spend the Night Together"1986"I'm in the Mood for Dancin '89" (re-recording)1989"Take Me All" (Japan-only release)1991"Rock and Rolling Idol" (Japan-only release)"Tidal Wave" (Japan-only release)"Sexy Music" (re-recording; Japan-only release)"Colourful Nolans" (Japan-only release)1992"Mother Earth" (Japan-only release)"I'm in the Mood for Dancing" (re-recording)1995"Won't Be Long" (Japan-only release)2006

References