From 1979 to 1982, the group had a run of hits, including "I'm in the Mood for Dancing", "Gotta Pull Myself Together", "Who's Gonna Rock You", "Attention to Me" and "Chemistry".
The youngest member, Coleen (born 12 March 1965),[1] did not formally join the group until 1980 as she was too young to perform with her sisters.
[13] A 1977 eponymous album on the Hanover Grand label was sold only at the London Club Room in Drury Lane and is ranked by price guides as the most collectible UK release by the group.
[15] That year, they also supported Engelbert Humperdinck on a US tour,[1] and Denise left the group to pursue a solo career.
The track was considered the favourite before the contest, but ultimately placed fourth, with Black Lace going on to represent the UK with their song "Mary Ann".
In order to find a winner nonetheless, the regional juries had to make their decisions based on audio tapes of the songs from the show's rehearsals.
[16] The group had been booked to promote the song on many BBC shows, leading to speculation that it had been taken for granted they would win the competition.
[17] After signing with CBS subsidiary Epic Records in 1979, the group enjoyed their greatest period of commercial success.
[21] The song, like the majority of the Nolans' hit singles, was written by Ben Findon, Mike Myers and Robert Puzey.
[22] The self-titled album Nolan Sisters, which featured the first two charting Epic singles, eventually reached number 15 in the UK.
[25] During 1981, Coleen and Linda contributed vocals to the Young and Moody Band along with Motörhead frontman Lemmy,[26][1] which scored a UK number 63 hit with "Don't Do That".
The group had released the single with a limited edition poster, exclusive to shops which registered chart sales.
They appeared in the second episode of the 1987 comedy series Filthy Rich & Catflap, playing themselves in a blackmail plot and performing "I'm in the Mood for Dancing".
Tidal Wave (Samishii Nettaigyo) included the group's versions of songs made famous by Wink, Seiko Matsuda, Akina Nakamori, Candies, and Yōko Oginome.
[1] A re-recorded and remixed version of "I'm in the Mood for Dancing", released on the Living Beat label, reached number 51 in the UK in 1995, and Bernie and Coleen returned briefly to promote the single.
Most of the sisters have continued to work in show business, pursuing careers in acting, musical theatre, pantomime and touring.
[19] As an actress, Bernie had prominent TV roles in Brookside and The Bill,[19] and toured in several stage shows, including the adaptation of the movie Flashdance in 2008.
[39] Coleen has mostly worked as a television presenter, hosting This Morning briefly in 2001[40] and appearing regularly as a panellist on Loose Women since 2000.
Four of the sisters – Bernie, Denise, Linda, and Maureen – have played the role of Mrs. Johnstone in the musical Blood Brothers.
[45] The Nolans reunited as a five-piece (Anne, Bernie, Coleen, Linda and Maureen) for one-off performances of "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" first for BBC One's All Time Greatest Party Songs, hosted by Tess Daly, which aired on 17 December 2005[46] and again on 9 August 2007 on Loose Women,[47] but dismissed any immediate prospect of a full-scale reunion.
[49] The reunion however sparked a split in the family as Anne has appeared in the press stating that she was excluded from the tour, and also issued a statement on her official website, which includes the comment: "they are not my sisters anymore".
[50] Denise also issued a statement in support of Anne, claiming that the real reason for the reunion was due to some of the sisters being in financial difficulty.
A second series was confirmed with the return of original member Denise Nolan, who would be performing with the band for the first time in over 40 years.