Coleen Nolan has done some scary things in her time. She’s sung in public since she was a toddler. She’s broadcast live for 23 years on Loose Women. She’s survived two stays in the Big Brother house. She has also braved the frozen dangers of Dancing on Ice – and she’s even dared to bare all in The Real Full Monty. Surely baking a cake holds no fears?
Coleen might have donned her apron for the new series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, but the 58-year-old admits, ‘It terrified me. Leading up to it, I woke up having the worst nightmares. I don’t bake. I don’t really cook. I burn toast by looking at it.’
‘I got bullied into it by my family. Baking is safer than ice skating, though. I thought, “Well, I won’t break a limb, at least.”
‘My daughter is the cook, and my daughter-in-law Maddie is the baker,’ says the mum-of-three to Shane, 34, Jake, 30, and Ciara, 21.
‘Maddie loves baking. She’s very good. She’s even applied for Bake Off. Ciara does all the cooking. She had never cooked in her life, but we went vegan and she started during lockdown. She loves it. She’s learnt from YouTube and Instagram, and she’s bought loads of books.
‘One day I made vegan spaghetti bolognese out of her cookbook. It was gorgeous. She said, “Did you enjoy making it?” I said, “No! You cook it and I’ll eat it.” I’m not saying I can’t cook, I just don’t like it. Before I was vegan, I could do a Sunday dinner.’
This story is from the March 21, 2023 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 21, 2023 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GARDEN notes
Vibrant annuals and fruit and veg
Springtime IN VENICE
A weekend in this floating city is a feast for the senses
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Breathe EASY
Do you need an air purifier at home? We find out
Stress-free ENTERTAINING
Enjoy a seasonal prep-ahead spread with friends or family
Bonded FOR LIFE
As a new mother faced the most agonising of challenges, her best friend stepped in to hel
The easy way TO EXERCISE AND HEALTH
You don't need a gym to get fit, just mini bursts of activity throughout the day to get you in shape. Here's how
TESTED BY US!
Dry shampoo refreshes hair between washes - and lifts roots and boosts volume. Here are our favourites
'Coronation Street changed my life'
Actor Georgia Taylor on finding fun and lasting friendships on the cobbles
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY