Bernie Nolan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernie Nolan
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| Born |
Bernadette Therese Nolan
17 October 1960 Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 4 July 2013 (aged 52) |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, entertainer |
| Years active | 1974–2013 |
| Television | Top of the Pops Brookside The Bill Loose Women This Morning |
| Spouse(s) |
Steve Doneathy
(m. 1996) |
| Relatives | Anne Nolan (sister) Denise Nolan (sister) Maureen Nolan (sister) Linda Nolan (sister) Coleen Nolan (sister) Jake Roche (nephew) |
Bernadette Therese Nolan (born 17 October 1960 – died 4 July 2013), known as Bernie Nolan, was an Irish actress, singer, and TV star. She was best known as the main singer of the popular girl group the Nolans. Bernie was one of six sisters who were all singers. From the age of two, she grew up in Blackpool, England.
The Nolans started in 1974. They had seven songs that made it into the Top 20 in the UK. Their biggest hit was "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" in 1979. They even won a big music festival in Tokyo, Japan, in 1981. Bernie left the group in 1995 to focus on acting. She appeared in TV shows like Brookside (2000–2002) and The Bill (2002–2005). She also starred in many stage musicals, including Blood Brothers and Chicago. In 2009, she rejoined some of her sisters for a successful tour. Sadly, Bernie passed away in July 2013 after battling breast cancer.
Contents
Bernie Nolan's Early Life and Singing Career
Bernie Nolan was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1960. She was the seventh of eight children in her family. In 1962, her family moved from Dublin to Blackpool, England. They began performing together as "The Singing Nolans."
Forming The Nolans Group
In 1974, Bernie and her sisters formed "The Nolan Sisters." Later, they shortened their name to the Nolans. They first appeared on TV that same year on Cliff Richard's show. In 1975, they even opened for Frank Sinatra on his European tour.
The Nolans' Hit Songs
In 1979, The Nolans released their most famous song, "I'm in the Mood for Dancing." It reached number three in the UK music charts. This was the first of seven songs that made it into the top twenty. Bernie Nolan often sang the main parts in these songs. Other hits included "Gotta Pull Myself Together" and "Attention to Me."
The Nolans sold millions of records around the world. They were especially popular in Japan, where they sold over nine million albums. They also won the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival. Bernie even wrote two songs for their 1982 album, Portrait.
Bernie Nolan's Acting Career
Bernie Nolan first started acting on a BBC children's TV show called On the Waterfront. Critics praised her talent for comedy. She left The Nolans in 1995 to focus fully on acting. Her stage career began in 1993 with the play The Devil Rides Out.
Starring in Blood Brothers
Bernie played Mrs. Johnstone in Willy Russell's musical Blood Brothers for over two years. She was the first of four Nolan sisters to play this role. Her sisters Denise, Linda, and Maureen also played the part later. Because of this, the sisters earned a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. They were recognized as the most siblings to play the same role in a professional show.
TV Roles in Brookside and The Bill
In 2000, Bernie joined the cast of the TV show Brookside as Diane Murray. She left in 2002 to play Sheelagh Murphy in the police drama The Bill. She starred in The Bill until 2005.
Other Acting and TV Appearances
In 2006, Bernie took part in Channel 4's show The Games. She competed to raise money for charities, including those for children. In 2008, she appeared in the musical Flashdance the Musical. In 2010, she was a contestant on the TV show Popstar to Operastar, where she reached the final. In 2012, she played Mama Morton in the UK tour of the musical Chicago.
Return to Singing and Solo Music
In 2004, Bernie Nolan released a song called "Macushla." All the money from this song went to charity. It reached number 38 in the UK music charts. In 2005, she released her first solo album, All By Myself. This album mostly featured powerful ballads. It included a song called "Better Place," which her husband wrote in memory of their daughter, Kate.
The Nolans Reunion Tour
In 2009, four of the Nolan sisters – Bernie, Coleen, Linda, and Maureen – reunited. They went on a very successful tour across the UK and Ireland. To go with the tour, they released a new album called I'm in the Mood Again. This album reached number 22 in the UK Album Charts.
Bernie Nolan's Personal Life
Bernie Nolan married drummer Steve Doneathy in 1996. They lived in Lancashire and later in Surrey. In 1998, they sadly had a daughter named Kate who passed away shortly after birth. In 1999, they welcomed another daughter, Erin.
Illness and Passing
On 23 April 2010, it was announced that Bernie Nolan was battling breast cancer. In October 2010, she shared that she was cancer-free after treatment. However, in October 2012, Bernie announced that the cancer had returned and spread. Her sisters Anne and Linda had also fought cancer and recovered.
Bernie Nolan passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Surrey on 4 July 2013. She was 52 years old. Her funeral was held on 17 July 2013 in Blackpool. Her ashes were buried next to her daughter Kate's.
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