Coleen Nolan

A man in his 30s says his wife confessed to having an affair several times with one of his closest friends, whom they have known since university. Although he feels angry and betrayed and believes the friendship is over, he still loves his wife and is unsure whether to remain married. Coleen Nolan advises him not to make rushed decisions, to allow time for emotions to settle, and to consider couples counselling. She says rebuilding trust is possible but will require his wife’s commitment, while acknowledging that the affair may either lead to repairing the relationship or bring it to an end.

Coleen Nolan advises a parent to be open and honest with her 13-year-old daughter about her grandfather’s end-stage cancer rather than trying to shield her. She recommends answering questions clearly, addressing fears such as genetic risk, informing the school, encouraging emotional expression, and allowing the teenager time with her grandfather and the opportunity to participate in farewell rituals. Cancer Research UK and Macmillan are suggested as sources of further guidance and helpline support.

A divorced mother struggles with her ex-husband’s new partner caring for their two children twice a week, particularly because she believes the woman had long been interested in her husband. Coleen Nolan advises her to accept the partner’s presence, maintain a calm and friendly handover routine, and focus on the children’s wellbeing unless they report mistreatment. Nolan also draws on her own experience of concealing emotional pain while supporting her children’s relationship with their father.

A woman who had an affair with a married man years earlier asks whether she should attend a friend’s birthday party where he and his wife will be present. Although she is now remorseful and in a stable relationship, Coleen Nolan advises her to stay away to prevent an alcohol-fuelled confrontation or the wife learning about the affair in a humiliating setting. Nolan suggests citing illness and celebrating with the friend separately.

A mother asks Coleen Nolan how to handle a friend who frequently visits uninvited, dominates family plans through their daughters’ friendship and pressures her to relax rules on alcohol and independent travel. Nolan advises setting firm boundaries, refusing invitations without lengthy explanations, and maintaining the mother’s own rules for her teenage daughter regardless of the friend’s choices.

A woman in her 20s describes ending an affair with a married man after discovering he had lied about his wife and children. After he refused to leave his wife, she revealed the affair, prompting hostility from his wife, anger from her mother and criticism from others. Coleen Nolan says the man bears primary responsibility for the affair, but advises the woman to learn from the experience, recognize that he was unlikely to leave his wife, and move on with support from her friends.

A woman says her neighbours secretly replaced a low fence with a much taller one while she was on holiday, blocking light from her living-room windows and worsening an already tense relationship. Coleen Nolan advises her to calmly explain the impact, avoid escalating the feud, and contact the local council if the neighbours refuse to cooperate, as fence-height regulations may apply.

A divorced man is considering rekindling his relationship with his ex-wife after they resumed spending time together. She has separated from the father of her child and suggested they try again, but he is unsure whether their renewed connection reflects genuine compatibility or a desire for familiarity and stability. Coleen Nolan advises them to discuss why the marriage ended, the role of the child’s father, parenting responsibilities and whether their relationship could withstand future difficulties, recommending they date again slowly and consider couples counselling.

A new mother says she and her husband have not had sex for more than a year after a difficult birth and the demands of caring for their baby. Although they remain close and attracted to each other, discussing intimacy feels awkward, and an upcoming child-free trip has created anxiety about sexual expectations. Coleen Nolan advises treating the trip as an opportunity for rest and reconnection rather than a test, building intimacy gradually, and openly discussing their concerns.

A woman says her husband left after having an affair with her best friend, who is also godmother to their eldest daughter. She describes feeling betrayed while caring for their two young children and rejects her ex-husband’s suggestion that everyone should quickly get along. Coleen Nolan advises allowing time to process the betrayal, avoiding using the children to hurt either parent, communicating with the ex about childcare arrangements, and seeking therapy. She says the woman need not rebuild the friendship and that intense feelings may ease over time.

A man in a sexless marriage admits to having an affair and feels torn between guilt, loyalty to his wife and his own unmet needs. Coleen Nolan advises him to communicate honestly with his wife about intimacy issues without revealing the affair, explore counselling, and assess whether their relationship can meet both partners’ needs while considering long‑term implications such as future family plans.

A woman struggles with her mother’s persistent bitterness a decade after her parents’ divorce, which has damaged family relationships and strained her bond with her father. Coleen advises her to be honest about how draining the situation has become, set boundaries to protect her son’s relationship with his grandfather, and make clear that any fallout from a truthful conversation would be her mother’s choice. She encourages the woman to help her mother see that holding onto grudges is causing her to miss out on life while others have moved on.

A woman worries that her boyfriend’s female best friend behaves like a romantic partner and still has feelings for him. Coleen advises that the boyfriend has been honest about their platonic relationship and likely enjoys the attention but is committed. She encourages open communication, managing insecurities, and getting to know the friend to ease concerns, noting that dynamics will shift as the relationship develops.

A parent seeks advice about a 15-year-old daughter who frequently lies about her activities, prompting concerns over safety and trust. Coleen Nolan reassures that lying is common among teenagers and encourages calm communication, establishing boundaries and promoting honesty. She advises creating an environment where the daughter feels safe sharing information while maintaining non‑negotiable rules and discussing real‑world risks to support her growing independence.

A 19-year-old woman seeks advice about marrying her 28-year-old boyfriend, expressing concern about her aunt’s reaction and her young age. Coleen Nolan encourages her to reflect on whether the desire for marriage stems from seeking security, advising open discussion with her aunt and considering waiting if the relationship is strong. She highlights the woman’s progress and existing support network while emphasising that a few years’ patience will not affect a solid relationship.

A woman worries that her husband returning home after working away for a year will disrupt the routine she has built with her children and raise questions about the state of their marriage. Coleen Nolan reassures her that the anxiety is a normal response to a major change and does not signal the end of the relationship. She encourages open discussion with her husband, acknowledging that both partners may find the transition challenging, and suggests giving each other time and space while readjusting to living together again.

A woman feels her childcare-sharing arrangement with her best friend has become unbalanced as she now provides significantly more care without compensation or discussion. Coleen advises raising the issue openly, proposing a new childcare plan, and considering shared costs for additional help so both women can take on more work if needed. Addressing the situation directly is encouraged to prevent resentment and preserve the friendship.

A woman frustrated with her boyfriend’s repeated delays in proposing seeks advice. Coleen advises easing the pressure by stopping constant discussions about engagement, noting that excessive pressure can delay a proposal. She suggests reassessing the relationship if no proposal comes by Christmas and encourages open conversation about marriage expectations without guilt or comparison to others.

A man worries after his friend’s wife drunkenly tried to kiss him while their spouses were in another room. Coleen Nolan advises addressing the incident privately before their upcoming holiday, making clear it cannot happen again, avoiding flirtation, and reconsidering the closeness of their couples’ friendship.

A woman struggles with whether to reconcile with her partner after his year-long affair, feeling unsure she can ever trust him again despite his renewed commitment and involvement with their children. Coleen Nolan advises pursuing couples therapy, examining the causes of the affair, and rebuilding trust slowly while prioritizing her own needs. She stresses that reconciliation should not be based solely on the children and that co‑parenting can still be successful if the relationship cannot be repaired.

A woman feels embarrassed after impulsively proposing to her boyfriend, who responded uncertainly, leaving her insecure. Coleen advises addressing the incident directly, asking what he meant by ‘not yet’, and having an open discussion about future expectations. She notes his reaction may have been due to surprise and suggests honesty to avoid overthinking and strengthen the relationship.

A woman seeks advice after a misunderstanding with her daughter‑in‑law led to strained family relations and limited communication with her son. Coleen Nolan suggests letting the situation rest, acknowledging that not all in‑law relationships are easy, and encourages offering support to her son while maintaining a positive role as a mother and grandparent. She recommends sending a letter if reassurance is needed that her earlier apology was received.

A mother struggling with an abusive, addicted son seeks advice after he claims to have found faith and wants to reconnect. Coleen Nolan advises her to move at her own pace, emphasising that rebuilding trust takes time, especially after years of lying and abuse. She encourages setting boundaries, avoiding guilt, and meeting only when ready, noting that genuine change will be shown through consistent actions.

A woman in her early 50s describes growing insecurity in her 25‑year marriage since entering menopause, feeling her husband is more attentive to other women while emotionally disengaged from her. Coleen Nolan explains that menopause can heighten anxiety and self‑doubt, and encourages exploring medical support such as HRT. She advises openly discussing emotional needs with her husband, stressing that long‑term relationships require continued effort. Despite current issues, a strong foundation of mutual love and a good sex life offers potential for rebuilding intimacy.

A young manager struggles with older, uncooperative colleagues whose behaviour undermines her confidence. Coleen Nolan advises her to trust in her abilities, set clear expectations and deadlines, consider team‑building, and pursue management training to build confidence. She stresses that the manager was chosen for the role for a reason and shouldn’t let others’ resentment shake her self‑belief.

A woman anxious about rekindling a relationship with an ex seeks guidance on rebuilding trust. The response encourages taking the relationship slowly, acknowledging past hurt while recognising that timing may have changed. It advises open communication about fears, developing trust gradually and making clear that repeated break‑ups would not be acceptable.

A woman seeks guidance after her newly married ex-boyfriend asks to continue a secret relationship, despite cultural pressures that led to their breakup. Coleen Nolan advises ending all contact to allow emotional healing, stressing that the relationship cannot progress and that the woman deserves a fully committed partner while also considering the impact on the man's wife.

A woman worries that her new partner avoids sex despite strong chemistry. Coleen Nolan advises raising the topic directly, suggesting he may be nervous, unsure of her readiness or lacking sexual confidence. She stresses that honest communication about expectations and desires is essential and recommends discussing the relationship during a relaxed moment to encourage openness on both sides.

A woman feels overwhelmed by a new friend who has become increasingly controlling after initially helping with childcare. Coleen Nolan advises setting clear boundaries, turning down invitations politely, and prioritizing personal needs without guilt. She notes that healthy friendships don’t require constant availability and that any fallout would indicate the friend’s need for control rather than genuine connection.

A woman who left her long-term partner before discovering she was pregnant seeks advice after her ex reacted angrily and some family members pressured her to reconsider the relationship. Coleen advises her to firmly dismiss suggestions of reconciling, emphasising that the relationship problems were serious and a baby would not resolve them. She recommends focusing on co‑parenting, considering counselling only to improve communication as future parents, and prioritising her wellbeing with support from friends and family.

A woman in her twenties seeks advice on coping with her mother’s husband, whom she dislikes and views as manipulative. She feels pressure to attend their anniversary party and maintain a polite façade. The advice emphasizes accepting her mother’s choice, keeping interactions brief and civil, spending time with her mother separately, and allowing her mother to manage her own relationship while avoiding unnecessary conflict.

A divorced father in his forties seeks guidance because his girlfriend avoids his children and becomes defensive when asked about it. Coleen Nolan advises that the relationship cannot work if she cannot accept his kids, suggesting her avoidance may stem from unresolved pain over fertility struggles. She urges him to prioritise his children and consider ending the relationship if his girlfriend remains unwilling to engage with them.

A woman seeks guidance on supporting a male friend who wants to end his marriage, feeling torn because she is also close to his wife. Coleen Nolan advises that feelings cannot be forced and that both partners deserve happiness, encouraging the friend to listen without trying to fix the situation, accept that friendships may shift after the breakup, and remain supportive of both parties with the friend's consent.

A married man in a sexless relationship seeks guidance after beginning an affair with a woman in a similar situation. He feels guilty and fears hurting his wife, whom he considers his soulmate. Coleen advises initiating an honest conversation with his wife about intimacy without confessing the affair, exploring underlying issues, and considering options such as psychosexual counselling. She stresses the importance of addressing the future of the marriage and notes that alternative arrangements work for some couples, though expectations and potential desires for children should be considered.

A woman worried that her partner may secretly want children despite her firm decision not to become a mother is advised to reopen the conversation honestly. Coleen Nolan stresses the importance of ensuring both partners share the same expectations about family life, warning that unresolved differences can lead to heartbreak later. She encourages a direct discussion so both can pursue the future they want.

A woman in her 30s feels overwhelmed by a new partner’s intense sexual focus and lack of romance. Coleen advises communicating openly about her needs, asking him what he wants from the relationship, and expressing boundaries around sexting and affection. If his interests remain purely physical, she suggests acknowledging incompatibility and seeking a deeper emotional connection elsewhere.