Coleen Nolan has said that she was once told by TV bosses to get a ‘gastric band’ as she was ‘too big’ to present on prime time television.
The star, 55, who is a regular panellist on Loose Women, also claimed that she has been targeted over her age.
Speaking in a new candid interview, Coleen admitted that things are ‘better than it was years ago’ but pointed out there is still a long way to go.
Shocking: Coleen Nolan has said that she was once told by TV bosses to get a ‘gastric band’ as she was ‘too big’ to present on prime time television (pictured in 2020)
Talking to The Sun, the mother-of-three said: ‘I have had a head of a big TV company saying: “If you want to get in prime time television you should get a gastric band, you’re too big to present prime time.”
“I’ve had: “Oh, you’re getting on a bit now, so maybe you’re not right for prime time.” And yet you see all these guys in prime time, some overweight, some certainly in their 60s and 70s.’
Coleen noted that there doesn’t appear to be any women of a ‘certain age or a certain size’ on prime time television.
She added: ‘It’s better than it was years ago, but equally, if you look at Loose Women, there isn’t another show on any channel that has that range of women all at once presenting a TV show.’
Her career: The star, 55, who is a regular panellist on Loose Women, also claimed that she has been targeted over her age (pictured in 2008)
Coleen, who was at a size ten at her lightest, has previously discussed how she was told by TV bosses to have a gastric band.
Speaking in 2011, the star revealed that she was meeting with executives to discuss a new show when one person outlined that her size 14 figure would be a problem.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror at the time, Coleen explained that the man in question had been staring at her throughout the meeting before dropping the diet bombshell.
She told the paper: ‘He just said: “I wonder what we are going to do about that,” all the while he was looking me up and down, nodding we’d have to do something about my weight. Oh my God I was only a size 14, hardly obese!
Long way to go: Speaking in a new candid interview, Coleen admitted that things are ‘better than it was years ago’ but pointed out there is still a long way to go (pictured in 2012)
‘Then came the biggest shock. He said: “Well we really like you and we think you’ll be great but we have a particular look in mind for the host… everybody’s going on about these gastric bands at the moment, why don’t you think about that?’
Coleen added: ‘I was so angry on the day, but in another way it was good as it was so shocking it gave me confidence to say no to that sort of c***.’
In March last year, the Celebrity Big Brother star said that she was happier at her current weight than when she slimmed down to a tiny size 10.
Happiness: In March last year, the Celebrity Big Brother star said that she was happier at her current weight than when she slimmed down to a tiny size 10 (pictured in 2019, left, and in 2009, right)
The presenter, who released a range of fitness DVDs in the 2000s after losing five stone, said it was ‘tough’ keeping the weight off.
She told The Sun: ‘I got down to a size 10 and felt great in that respect and clothes shopping was divine; I could go into any shop and everything would fit, but being thin didn’t make me happy.
‘I lost a bit of me somewhere – I lost a bit of my personality. I think because part of my personality is always making jokes and putting myself down.’
Coleen admitted that she ‘needs to lose weight now’ but is doing it for health reasons rather than for appearance.
Important: Coleen admitted that she ‘needs to lose weight now’ but is doing it for health reasons rather than for appearance (pictured in January 2020)
She said: ‘I do need to lose weight now. I’d definitely like to lose at least two stone, but that isn’t to aesthetically please other people, that’s because I’m 55 and all of a sudden my joints are aching more. So it’s more of a health reason.’
It comes after Coleen admitted earlier this year that she is worried about the eight-year age gap with her mystery boyfriend.
The Loose Women star, 55, revealed in December that she had a ‘lovely’ new man, who she met online, after being single for more than three years.
And Coleen admitted that she is worried she might be ‘too old’ for her boyfriend who is 47-years-old.
Worries: It comes after Coleen admitted earlier this year that she is worried about the eight-year age gap with her mystery boyfriend (pictured in April 2020)
The star also shared her concerns for keeping their budding relationship going during the third lockdown amid the pandemic as they can’t meet up.
Coleen revealed that they both have a ‘similar outlook’ and her mystery man is also divorced with children.
Writing in her weekly newsletter for the Mirror, Coleen penned: ‘I’ve had this discussion with the man I’m seeing. He’s 47 and I’m 55 and, although there are only eight years between us, I have moments of worrying I’m a bit too old for him.’
She added: ‘I suppose my insecurity with dating someone a lot younger would be that he’d get to a point where he thought I was too old for him or that I’d start to feel old because I was with someone so much younger.’
‘I’m too old for him!’: The Loose Women star, 55, revealed in December that she had a ‘lovely’ new man, who she met online, after being single for more than three years (pictured on Loose Women in January 2020)
Coleen noted that some age-gap relationships are successful and she used the late Dame Barbara Windsor, who tragically died in December aged 83, and her widower Scott Mitchell, 58, as an example.
The star also shared her concerns for keeping their budding relationship going during the third lockdown amid the pandemic as they can’t meet up.
Coleen admitted that she is too ‘self-conscious’ for video calls, so the duo have been talking on the phone every day since September.
She noted: ‘I’m enjoying the flirtation and having something nice to look forward to during the endless hours of lockdown, but it is frustrating not being able to move things on.’
Lockdown love: The star also shared her concerns for keeping their budding relationship going during the third lockdown amid the pandemic as they can’t meet up (pictured in July)
Coleen revealed in December that she has a ‘lovely’ new boyfriend, after being single for more than three years.
The TV personality made the revelation on ITV’s Loose Women as her fellow panellists teased her about her new romance.
Assuring her co-stars that they ‘don’t know him’, she coyly said: ‘I have met somebody lovely, I’ve met someone and he’s lovely and it’s been really, really lovely.’
And while she seemed to be besotted, Coleen went on to share that their relationship is too new for them to spending the Yuletide season together.
Love story: Coleen noted that some age-gap relationships are successful and she used the late Dame Barbara Windsor, who tragically died in December aged 83, and her widower Scott Mitchell, 58, as an example (pictured in 2017)
She explained: ‘It’s Christmas, but it’s all about family. We’re not at that stage yet. Gosh, I feel like a teenager who has been caught out with a boy!’
Back in September, a then-single Coleen admitted she was terrified of being catfished after joining four different dating apps in her search for love.
She had already signed up to one site, but upped the ante in her pursuit of romance by joining three more following advice from her co-presenters.
In a chat with Ruth Langsford, Saira Khan, and Janet Street Porter, Coleen also revealed that one of the pictures on her profile was a makeup-free shot because she wanted to present the real her.
She explained: ‘It’s really difficult, I put this picture on because I have put other pictures on where I’ve got full makeup on. But I thought, actually, they’d better know me from the start.’
A new man in her life: Coleen revealed in December that she has a ‘lovely’ new boyfriend, after being single for more than three years
Coleen went on to discuss her fears over catfishing, saying: ‘But here’s my issue – how do I know it’s the real them?’
Ruth replied: ‘This is the issue isn’t it, I think that’s why so many people are put off.’
Although Coleen seemed nervous about getting back out on the dating scene, Janet – who has been divorced twice – offered some words of advice, saying: ‘I don’t know why you are embarrassed.
‘Most of my friends met their partners online, that’s the modern way to do it. And since lockdown, people are even more nervous about meeting people, and it is the only way forward, you’ve just got to get your head around it Coleen.’
She added: ‘The option is be lonely and only see the dogs and the kids when they come round, or go out have a bit of fun and meet someone.
Finding The One: Back in September, Coleen admitted that she was terrified of being catfished after joining four different dating apps in her search for love
‘You’re not looking for a bloke you’re to marry, you’re just looking for someone to have fun with.’
Coleen revealed she ‘melted into a pool of embarrassment’ when a man she had been talking to on the app gave her his number and asked her to give him a ring.
‘That’s a bit too much. When it comes to going on a date and I fancy someone I turn into a 12-year-old schoolgirl, I forget my own name. I’m rubbish, I am the biggest cowardly flirt you’ll ever meet.’
She added that it was a worry if people know her from her singing fame or from Loose Women.
‘I had a message yesterday that said, “I bet you’re in the mood for dancing”, and I thought, “Oh for God’s sake,” and deleted him,’ she said.
Split: Coleen had been single for three years after splitting from her second husband Ray Fensome in 2017 after 11 years of marriage (pictured in 2013)
In August, Coleen revealed on the show that she had been messaging a younger man on social media and confessed that it is ‘nice to have a flirt’.
The presenter said she was speaking to a 38-year-old suitor during a candid chat about age differences in relationships
However, she also questioned why someone much younger would be interested in an older woman as she mused whether it was because of her fame or money.
She said: ‘I would always question why would a 35-year-old want to be with a 55-year-old? Is it because I’m on telly or you think I’m rich?
‘Having said that, on social media, I have been speaking to a 38-year-old. He’s like a 38-year-old with an older soul.’
Her fellow panellist Michelle Ackerley then chipped in saying ‘you need to connect’, to which Coleen responded: ‘Yeah, the problem is you don’t really get that on dating websites.’
Coleen had been single for three years after splitting from her second husband Ray Fensome in 2017 after 11 years of marriage. They share daughter Ciara, 20.
Previously, she had tied the knot with Shane Richie in 1990, and they had two sons – Jake, 28, and Shane Roche Jr., 32, before separating in 1997. Their divorce was finalised in 1999.
Ex: Previously, she had tied the knot with Shane Richie in 1990, and they had two sons before separating in 1997. Their divorce was finalised in 1999 (pictured in 1997)