Anna Nolan facts for kids

Anna Nolan (born 16 October 1970) is an Irish television presenter and producer. She was also a business manager, a waitress, and an Irish international basketball player. Anna has hosted many TV shows in Ireland and the UK.

Anna Nolan's Early Life

When she was younger, Anna Nolan joined a convent with the Sisters of Loreto. She remembers her time there fondly. She said she "loved the nuns and the work they did." She thought they were "the coolest group of women."

Anna left the convent after an experience that made her feel the Catholic Church did not fully support women. About a year later, she shared with her family that she was gay. Her mother asked her about it in 1992. Her father was very supportive. He told her to be aware that some people might not accept her, but she didn't have to spend time with them.

Anna Nolan's Career Journey

Becoming Known on Big Brother

Anna Nolan became well-known in 2000. She was the runner-up in the first series of the British reality show Big Brother. Her background as a former nun was a big topic during the show.

During her time on Big Brother, she was part of a famous moment. This was when Craig Phillips faced off against 'Nasty Nick' Bateman. Nick was known for trying to manipulate others. People still ask Anna if she is "Anna from Big Brother." She used to try to avoid the topic, but now she accepts her past.

Anna described her time on the show. She said there were times she wanted to leave because she was bored or missed her family. She didn't see it as something to "enjoy." Instead, it was about "getting through it." Before joining, she didn't think anyone would watch the show. In June 2010, RTÉ Ten listed Anna as one of its "Top 10 BB Housemates."

Anna Nolan as a TV Presenter

After Big Brother, Anna started working in television. She helped open doors for other Big Brother contestants to do the same. These included Jade Goody and Chantelle Houghton. Anna worked for the BBC on two shows, Anna in Wonderland and Closure. She also started working for RTÉ.

Anna co-hosted The Afternoon Show on RTÉ One with Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh. She presented this show for three years. In August 2006, she decided not to renew her contract. Sheana Keane took her place.

Anna has also filled in for Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio. In August 2006, Anna presented a BBC show called Inside Out. She was part of a team that filmed a paranormal investigation in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Anna has been a guest on the RTÉ Two discussion show The Panel. From 2007 to 2009, she was a reporter for the RTÉ series Would You Believe. She also cooked a meal on The Restaurant. In October 2007, she co-hosted Celebrities Go Wild with Aidan Power. In August 2010, Anna appeared in Ultimate Big Brother.

Anna Nolan's Work as a Producer

In 2011, Anna Nolan produced the show Operation Transformation. She also produced the reality show Mission Beach for RTÉ. She writes a weekly column for the Evening Herald newspaper.

In 2012, Anna directed her first documentary, "Perfect Heart." It was about a man waiting for a heart transplant. She was also the series producer for the RTÉ show "Room To Improve" in 2012. Anna hosted The Great Irish Bake Off for TV3. In 2014, she became the Development Executive for COCO Television.

As of 2022, Anna Nolan is the Head of Development at COCO Content. She also produced the St. Patrick's Day 2024 Parade coverage for RTÉ Television, working for COCO.

Anna Nolan's Personal Life

Anna Nolan was in a long-term relationship with Dearbhla Walsh. Dearbhla is an Emmy Award-winning drama director. In 2014, Anna shared that she had to get used to being single again.

Big Brother host Davina McCall said that Anna Nolan was the only Big Brother housemate she ever became friends with. They still keep in touch in 2025. Anna has also stayed in contact with Craig Phillips and Mel Hill. She also supported Jade Goody during her battle with cancer. Anna met Jade several times, even though they were on different series of Big Brother.

Anna Nolan, who was once a sister in Dublin's Loreto Order, now considers herself an atheist. On January 10, 2010, she hosted a special TV program for RTÉ One called O Sister Where Art Thou?. In this show, she tried to find and interview women she had trained with in the order.