Coleen Nolan, 61, has publicly defended her relationship with her boyfriend Ryan Brockbank, who is 15 years her junior. Nolan, a panelist on the British talk show 'Loose Women', stated they are "very, very, very much together, and very much in love" during a recent appearance on 'Good Morning Britain'.
Nolan and Brockbank met earlier this year after he messaged her on social media following her appearance on 'Celebs Go Dating'. Nolan recounted their "instant connection" and dismissed concerns from critics, including those she implied were related to their age difference. She clarified that Brockbank is 46, not 20 years younger as some reports suggested, stating, "14's bad enough."
Despite some media labeling Brockbank her "toyboy" and referencing her as a "cougar," Nolan expressed that her family has given their approval. "They all get on really well with him, which is massive for me that they like him," she said. She also addressed the meaning behind matching tattoos she and Brockbank got, which read "until the end," explaining it signifies her commitment.
Nolan shared that her own insecurities about the age gap initially made her hesitant to pursue the relationship. "My own insecurity, really, I thought they wouldn't fancy me anyway because I'm 61 and I'd wonder why they did," she admitted. She also mentioned that she had previously set dating parameters, avoiding anyone younger than 55, with young children, or living far away, all criteria that Brockbank initially met.
"It made me realise that when it's the right one and the real one, all those things don't matter, you make them work," Nolan stated. She added that Brockbank reassured her that the age difference was not an issue for him, playfully suggesting she had the energy of an 18-year-old.
In a show of their commitment to a future together, Nolan revealed she is selling her countryside farm to move closer to Brockbank in London. She is in the process of re-homing her farm animals as she prepares to downsize. "I've met someone I want to do that with and it is for both of us, certainly for me, until the end," she said. Nolan's daughter, Ciara, had previously expressed playful exasperation about her mother's new relationship, referencing the matching tattoos on a podcast.