‘It's more important than ever'

Coleen Nolan on how The Real Full Monty team are taking to the ice to raise awareness of cancer

- VICTORIA WILSON

THE REAL FULL MONTY ON ICE NEW MONDAY & TUESDAY / ITV / 9PM / EPS 1-2 of 2 / ENTERTAINMENT

Coleen Nolan never shies away from a challenge when it comes to helping raise awareness of cancers, a cause very close to her heart.

For the past two years, the Loose Women panellist has taken part in the ladies’ night spin-offs of Diversity star Ashley Banjo’s annual ITV event The Real Full Monty, learning different dance routines each time before bravely baring all in front of an audience.

But this year, choreographer Ashley is upping the ante by asking the male and female classes of 2020 to also create two winter wonderland spectaculars – on ice! – with help from Dancing on Ice coach Dan Whiston and some of the pro skaters.

‘I thought, he’s got to be joking. But here we are. I just can’t say no to that face of his!’ says Coleen, 55, who sadly lost her sister, The Bill star Bernie, to breast cancer in 2013. Earlier this year, her sister Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, with sibling Linda learning she had incurable liver cancer just days later.

Joining Coleen on the ladies’ troupe are former Woman’s Hour presenter Dame Jenni Murray, Love Island star Shaughna Phillips, This Morning’s Dr Zoe Williams, plus actors Linda Lusardi and Hayley Tamaddon.

On the boys’ team are Hollyoaks’ Jamie Lomas (see interview, right), ex-rugby star Gareth Thomas, singer Jake Quickenden, former jockey Bob Champion, Love Island favourite Chris Hughes and Ashley’s Diversity colleague Perri Kiely.