Loose Women presenter Coleen Nolan has revealed her hips are feeling better since she began dating her new boyfriend Ryan Brockbank. The 61-year-old television star officially confirmed her relationship with the 41-year-old fashion lecturer last week after secretly dating for several months.
Speaking in an interview with Closer Magazine, Nolan joked about how her physical health has improved since meeting her younger partner. She confessed that her body felt different but noted a positive change in recent months.
"My hips are not what they used to be, to be honest, but they are probably better now I've met Ryan," Nolan said. "They absolutely are!"
The couple are understood to have met following Nolan's appearance on the E4 reality series Celebs Go Dating, a show in which single celebrities are paired with members of the public. She previously described her experience on the programme as a disaster after facing public rejection during filming.
Reflecting on the experience, Nolan confessed that the process damaged her self-esteem. "My ego was on the floor," she admitted. "It was mortifying when people did not put their hands up if they wanted you. It was a bit humiliating but you've got to take it. It is transparent and you learn along the way."
A Secret Romance and Romantic Getaways
Despite the initial setbacks on television, Nolan found love away from the cameras with Brockbank, who is 20 years her junior. The pair have already enjoyed a romantic getaway together, with Brockbank sharing photographs of the presenter on social media.
Brockbank works as a lecturer at the Fashion Retail Academy, a vocational fashion college in London whose former students include social media influencer Molly-Mae Hague. He is also a father and works in creative fields.
A source close to the presenter told The Sun that Nolan is smitten with her new partner. "Coleen is pretty smitten with Ryan," the source said. "She talks about him all the time, her kids know about him and things are moving pretty fast."
The insider added that Brockbank's background as a parent gives them shared ground. "He's very creative and a dad himself, so they have lots in common," the source explained. "She learnt about herself and dating when she did Celebs Go Dating and has really applied it to the real world."
The couple made a public appearance together over the weekend, where Brockbank was seen walking arm-in-arm with Nolan as she attended her family's stage show, An Afternoon With The Nolans, to support her sisters.
Past Marriages and Dating Challenges
Nolan has been married twice previously. She was married to actor Shane Richie from 1990 until 1999, with whom she shares two sons. She later married musician Ray Fensome in 2007, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2018.
Following her second divorce, Nolan attempted to find love through television dating agencies, though she admitted to struggling with the process. Speaking to The Sun about her stint on Celebs Go Dating, she explained that romance had failed to materialise on screen.
"It's just not happened for me," Nolan said. "And then the one time when I thought, 'Oh I had a great date', he got rid of me. I think we both knew it was a friendship thing."
She also pointed out logistical challenges with the matches provided by the show's dating experts. "But here's my issue, every date they've got me is from Essex, I live in bloody Staffordshire," she said. "It's just too far, so that's been an issue but there's just no one with that romantic spark."
Despite the frustration over location, Nolan praised the personal growth she experienced through the show's counseling. "But the agents, the therapy has been absolutely brilliant and I think from the start to the end, I've massively changed," she noted.
Health Improvements and Weight Loss
Alongside her new relationship, the daytime television star has recently discussed her physical transformation after dropping 3.5 stone in weight. Nolan has gone from a size 20 to a size 14 after partnering with weight-management company Voy, which provides weight-loss injections alongside lifestyle support.
In April, Nolan shared how her health had improved since losing weight, noting increased mobility and reduced back pain. "I feel so much better health-wise," she said at the time. "My back's improved, I've got more energy. And confidence-wise, of course it helps."
The decision to use weight-loss medications marks a change in perspective for the star. Just last year, Nolan expressed skepticism about weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, stating that she did not believe in taking them.
