Bernie Nolan
Updated: 12/11/2025, 9:49:00 AM Wikipedia source
Bernadette Therese Doneathy (née Nolan; 17 October 1960 – 4 July 2013) was an Irish actress, singer and television personality, formerly lead vocalist of the girl group the Nolans. She was the second youngest of sisters Anne, Denise, Maureen, Linda and Coleen. From the age of two, Bernie was brought up in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. The Nolans began in 1974 and went on to have seven UK Top 20 hits, including "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" (1979), "Gotta Pull Myself Together" (1980) and "Attention to Me" (1981). They won the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival with "Sexy Music". Bernie left the group in 1995 to become an actress. On television, she had roles in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside from 2000 to 2002 and the ITV police drama The Bill from 2002 to 2005, while her numerous roles in stage musicals included Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers (1998–2000), Hannah Owens in Flashdance: The Musical (2008–2009) and Mama Morton in Chicago (2012). She was also a member of the Nolans line-up that reformed for a successful tour of the UK and Ireland in 2009. She died from breast cancer in July 2013.
Infobox
Born
Bernadette Therese Nolan(1960-10-17)17 October 1960Dublin, Ireland
Died
4 July 2013(2013-07-04) (aged 52)Weybridge, Surrey, England
Occupation(s)
Actress, singer, entertainer
Years active
1974–2013
Television
Top of the PopsBrooksideThe BillLoose WomenThis Morning
Spouse
mw- Steve Doneathy (m. 1996)
Children
1
Relatives
Anne Nolan (sister)Denise Nolan (sister)Maureen Nolan (sister)Linda Nolan (sister)Coleen Nolan (sister)Jake Roche (nephew)
Occupations
Actress, singer, entertainer
Tables
· Discography › Studio albums
| Title | Details | Year |
| The Singing Nolans | Released: June 1972 Label: Nevis Formats: LP | 1972 |
| The Nolan Sisters | Released: 1975 Label: Hanover Grand Formats: LP | 1975 |
| 20 Giant Hits | Released: 7 July 1978 Label: Target Formats: LP, MC Released in Japan in February 1981 | 1978 |
| Nolan Sisters | Released: 19 November 1979 Label: Epic Formats: LP, MC Released in Japan as Dancing Sisters | 1979 |
| Making Waves | Released: 17 October 1980 Label: Epic Formats: LP, MC | 1980 |
| Portrait | Released: 19 March 1982 Label: Epic Formats: CD, LP, MC Released in Japan in December 1981 as Don't Love Me Too Hard | 1982 |
| Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! | Released: 1 November 1984 Label: Towerbell Formats: CD, LP, MC | 1984 |
| Tenderly | Released: 1986 Label: Stoic/Spartan Formats: LP | 1986 |
| Playback Part 2 | Released: 21 July 1991 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD, MC Momoe Yamaguchi cover album Japan-only release | 1991 |
| Rock and Rolling Idol | Released: 21 August 1991 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD Kyōko Koizumi cover album Japan-only release | |
| Tidal Wave | Released: 21 September 1991 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD J-pop cover album Japan-only release | |
| The Hottest Place on Earth | Released: 21 May 1992 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD Featuring Princess Princess cover songs Japan-only release | 1992 |
| Please Don't | Released: 23 September 1992 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD Kayōkyoku cover album Japan-only release | |
| The Nolans Sing Momoe 2005 | Released: 19 January 2005 Label: SMDR GT Music Formats: CD Japan-only release Re-recording of Playback Part 2 | 2005 |
| I'm in the Mood Again | Released: 28 September 2009 Label: Universal Formats: CD | 2009 |
· Discography › EPs and mini-albums
| Title | Details | Year |
| The Singing Nolans (Silent Night) | Released: December 1972 Label: Nevis Formats: 7" EP | 1972 |
| Dancing Sisters | Released: 21 July 1980 Label: Epic Format: 10" mini-album Japan-only release | 1980 |
| Greatest Original Hits – 4 Track E.P. | Released: March 1983 Label: Epic Formats: 7" EP | 1983 |
| The Nolans | Released: March 1984 Label: Scoop 33 Formats: 7" EP, MC | 1984 |
· Discography › Singles
"Blackpool" (as the Singing Nolans)
"Blackpool" (as the Singing Nolans)
Single
"Blackpool" (as the Singing Nolans)
Year
1972
"But I Do" (as the Nolan Sisters)
"But I Do" (as the Nolan Sisters)
Single
"But I Do" (as the Nolan Sisters)
Year
1974
"(Won't You) Make a Little Sunshine Shine" (as Nolan Sisters)
"(Won't You) Make a Little Sunshine Shine" (as Nolan Sisters)
Single
"(Won't You) Make a Little Sunshine Shine" (as Nolan Sisters)
Year
1975
"Rain" (as the Nolan Sisters)
"Rain" (as the Nolan Sisters)
Single
"Rain" (as the Nolan Sisters)
Year
1976
"Thanks for Calling" (as Nolan Sisters)
"Thanks for Calling" (as Nolan Sisters)
Single
"Thanks for Calling" (as Nolan Sisters)
"When You Are a King" (as the Nolan Sisters)
"When You Are a King" (as the Nolan Sisters)
Single
"When You Are a King" (as the Nolan Sisters)
"Love Transformation" (as Nolan Sisters)
"Love Transformation" (as Nolan Sisters)
Single
"Love Transformation" (as Nolan Sisters)
Year
1977
"Love Bandit" (as Nolan Sisters)
"Love Bandit" (as Nolan Sisters)
Single
"Love Bandit" (as Nolan Sisters)
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (as the Nolan Sisters)
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (as the Nolan Sisters)
Single
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (as the Nolan Sisters)
Year
1978
"Harry My Honolulu Lover" (as Nolan Sisters)
"Harry My Honolulu Lover" (as Nolan Sisters)
Single
"Harry My Honolulu Lover" (as Nolan Sisters)
Year
1979
"Spirit, Body and Soul" (as Nolan Sisters)
"Spirit, Body and Soul" (as Nolan Sisters)
Single
"Spirit, Body and Soul" (as Nolan Sisters)
"I'm in the Mood for Dancing"
"I'm in the Mood for Dancing"
Single
"I'm in the Mood for Dancing"
"Don't Make Waves"
"Don't Make Waves"
Single
"Don't Make Waves"
Year
1980
"Gotta Pull Myself Together"
"Gotta Pull Myself Together"
Single
"Gotta Pull Myself Together"
"Who's Gonna Rock You"
"Who's Gonna Rock You"
Single
"Who's Gonna Rock You"
"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (Japan-only release)
"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (Japan-only release)
Single
"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (Japan-only release)
Year
1981
"Attention to Me"
"Attention to Me"
Single
"Attention to Me"
"Sexy Music" (Japan-only release)
"Sexy Music" (Japan-only release)
Single
"Sexy Music" (Japan-only release)
"Chemistry"
"Chemistry"
Single
"Chemistry"
"Don't Love Me Too Hard"
"Don't Love Me Too Hard"
Single
"Don't Love Me Too Hard"
"Crashing Down"
"Crashing Down"
Single
"Crashing Down"
Year
1982
"Dragonfly"
"Dragonfly"
Single
"Dragonfly"
"Dressed to Kill"
"Dressed to Kill"
Single
"Dressed to Kill"
Year
1983
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Japan-only release)
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Japan-only release)
Single
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Japan-only release)
Year
1985
"Goodbye Nothin' to Say"
"Goodbye Nothin' to Say"
Single
"Goodbye Nothin' to Say"
"Let's Spend the Night Together"
"Let's Spend the Night Together"
Single
"Let's Spend the Night Together"
Year
1986
"I'm in the Mood for Dancin '89" (re-recording)
"I'm in the Mood for Dancin '89" (re-recording)
Single
"I'm in the Mood for Dancin '89" (re-recording)
Year
1989
"Take Me All" (Japan-only release)
"Take Me All" (Japan-only release)
Single
"Take Me All" (Japan-only release)
Year
1991
"Rock and Rolling Idol" (Japan-only release)
"Rock and Rolling Idol" (Japan-only release)
Single
"Rock and Rolling Idol" (Japan-only release)
"Tidal Wave" (Japan-only release)
"Tidal Wave" (Japan-only release)
Single
"Tidal Wave" (Japan-only release)
"Sexy Music" (re-recording; Japan-only release)
"Sexy Music" (re-recording; Japan-only release)
Single
"Sexy Music" (re-recording; Japan-only release)
"Colourful Nolans" (Japan-only release)
"Colourful Nolans" (Japan-only release)
Single
"Colourful Nolans" (Japan-only release)
Year
1992
"Mother Earth" (Japan-only release)
"Mother Earth" (Japan-only release)
Single
"Mother Earth" (Japan-only release)
"I'm in the Mood for Dancing" (re-recording)
"I'm in the Mood for Dancing" (re-recording)
Single
"I'm in the Mood for Dancing" (re-recording)
Year
1995
| Single | Year |
| "Blackpool" (as the Singing Nolans) | 1972 |
| "But I Do" (as the Nolan Sisters) | 1974 |
| "(Won't You) Make a Little Sunshine Shine" (as Nolan Sisters) | 1975 |
| "Rain" (as the Nolan Sisters) | 1976 |
| "Thanks for Calling" (as Nolan Sisters) | |
| "When You Are a King" (as the Nolan Sisters) | |
| "Love Transformation" (as Nolan Sisters) | 1977 |
| "Love Bandit" (as Nolan Sisters) | |
| "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (as the Nolan Sisters) | 1978 |
| "Harry My Honolulu Lover" (as Nolan Sisters) | 1979 |
| "Spirit, Body and Soul" (as Nolan Sisters) | |
| "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" | |
| "Don't Make Waves" | 1980 |
| "Gotta Pull Myself Together" | |
| "Who's Gonna Rock You" | |
| "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (Japan-only release) | 1981 |
| "Attention to Me" | |
| "Sexy Music" (Japan-only release) | |
| "Chemistry" | |
| "Don't Love Me Too Hard" | |
| "Crashing Down" | 1982 |
| "Dragonfly" | |
| "Dressed to Kill" | 1983 |
| "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Japan-only release) | 1985 |
| "Goodbye Nothin' to Say" | |
| "Let's Spend the Night Together" | 1986 |
| "I'm in the Mood for Dancin '89" (re-recording) | 1989 |
| "Take Me All" (Japan-only release) | 1991 |
| "Rock and Rolling Idol" (Japan-only release) | |
| "Tidal Wave" (Japan-only release) | |
| "Sexy Music" (re-recording; Japan-only release) | |
| "Colourful Nolans" (Japan-only release) | 1992 |
| "Mother Earth" (Japan-only release) | |
| "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" (re-recording) | 1995 |
References
- Now and forever
- Daily Expresshttp://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/171447/Bernie-Nolan-I-ll-fight-breast-cancer
- Blackpool Gazettehttp://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Stars-gather-for-Nolan-funeral.3660319.jp
- Japan Composer's Association 33rd Japan Record Awards Archived 30 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine(in Japanese)http://jacompa.or.jp/reco33.html
- [1] Archived 19 August 2007 at the Wayback Machinehttp://www.blackpoollive.com/shows_events_soapqueens.html
- "Flashdance – the Musical (tour) – Reviews – 9 Sep 2008"http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/reviews/09-2008/flashdance-the-musical-tour_19005.html
- "Chicago UK Tour casting announced"https://web.archive.org/web/20141119195028/http://www.davidianproductions.com/2011/11/chicago-uk-tour-casting-announced/
- British Hit Singles & Albums
- "The Nolans' Bernie Nolan on family life in Weybridge, her favourite dog walks and top restaurants"http://surrey.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/the-nolans-bernie-nolan-on-family-life-in-weybridge-her-favourite-dog-walks-and-top-restaurants-17942/
- "Bernie Nolan dies after cancer battle"https://web.archive.org/web/20130707111230/http://www.u.tv/Entertainment/Bernie-Nolan-dies-after-cancer-battle/9f9ac843-7550-40dd-83e3-3abc07629cf6
- Daily Mirrorhttps://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/i-tried-to-trust-bradley-walsh-119119
- [2] Archived 27 April 2010 at the Wayback Machinehttp://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100424/ten-bernie-nolan-reveals-breast-cancer-5f8abb3.html
- This Morning, 28 October 2010
- Graham Norton Radio Showhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bl4dy
- This Morning, 7 May 2013
- The Daily Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10159927/Singer-Bernie-Nolan-dies-at-52.html
- BBC News Lancashirehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-23337143