Coleen Nolan has thanked her fans for sending “kind” messages to her as she continues her break from the spotlight.
The 53-year-old broke her social media silence for the first time since September 27, suggesting she is “letting it go” after the infamous TV row with Kim Woodburn that sparked her work hiatus.
Read more: Kim Woodburn ‘hopes Coleen Nolan gets back on her feet’ after TV row
Coleen wrote: “Sending [love] to everyone who sent kind messages x.”
It was posted alongside a picture bearing the words, “I took a deep breath and let it go.”
Sending ❤️ to everyone who sent kind messages x pic.twitter.com/rmv5KEQQiM
— Coleen Nolan (@NolanColeen) October 17, 2018
Coleen’s fans and supporters were quick to respond, including EastEnders actress Kacey Ainsworth, who said Loose Women is not the same without her.
Kacey wrote: “You’ve always been so lovely to me whenever I’ve done my little flit to @loosewomen (my summer job). Always supportive, funny & giving… esp during the ad breaks when I look at you and say ‘what’s next??’ Rabbit eyed. Get back behind that desk me lovely.”
Coleen’s message came after Kim, 76, gave a new interview in which she spoke about the pair’s infamous clash on an episode of Loose Women earlier this year.
They were reunited on the ITV daytime show after a falling out on Celebrity Big Brother last year. It was billed as a chance for them to bury the hatchet but it all went very wrong.
Kim ended up walking off set in tears, while Coleen was hit with accusations of bullying – which she strongly denied – and subsequently took a break from all work commitments.
In an interview with New! magazine, Kim said: “I don’t wish her any harm and I’m sorry she has no job on Loose Women. I can say hand on heart, I didn’t cause it and I hope, in time, she gets back on her feet.”
Coleen does, though, have a job on Loose Women – it’s been made very clear she’s just taking a break and will be back on the show when she is ready.
Kim added: “I was asked to do Loose Women and I didn’t think it would turn out like it did – very hurtful. I was shocked as much as anybody else that it happened. I was told that it was a reconciliation on Coleen’s behalf. I don’t know if the producers didn’t tell her.”
More than 7,000 viewers complained about the Loose Women panel’s treatment of Kim during the interview, and Ofcom announced last month it’s investigating whether the programme “fell short of generally accepted standards.”
An investigation by Ofcom does not mean a broadcaster has done anything wrong; not all investigations result in breaches of the codes, rules, licence conditions or other regulatory requirements being recorded.
An upset Coleen broke down in tears on This Morning following the Loose Women interview as she spoke about the online abuse she’d received in the wake of Kim’s appearance.
It was then announced Coleen would be postponing her debut solo tour, scheduled to kick off in January, and taking a break from Loose Women.
A statement from her rep said: “Following the constant online bullying, trolling and misrepresentation of her words and reactions, it is with sad regret that Coleen is taking an immediate hiatus form all her current commitments including Loose Women and postponing her Never Too Late solo concert tour.
“Coleen is devastated to let her supporters and fans down, but is currently not strong enough to withstand this constant unfounded online abuse, so she will be taking time out and spending it with her children and family where she feels loved and respected.”
An announcement from Coleen. (Tour Team x) pic.twitter.com/wi50RdMuws
— Coleen Nolan (@NolanColeen) September 6, 2018
All of her Loose Women co-stars have said they miss her on the show and are looking forward to when she comes back.
Linda Robson told Mail Online: “She was deeply upset about what happened. Please God she comes back soon, we all miss her. It’s her choice, we all want her back. The audience, every day they ask where she is, when she’s coming back. She’s got horses, she’s enjoying herself with her kids.”
She added that while everyone wants Coleen back soon, they are fully understanding of her situation and don’t want her to rush back before she is ready.
Linda isn’t the only Loose Women panellist to have spoken out in support of Coleen recently.
Nadia Sawalha told the Daily Star last month: “Everybody’s in contact with her. Everybody’s supporting her, and we can’t wait to have her back on the show.”
When asked if Coleen will definitely return, Nadia said: “Oh God, yes. Yes. I don’t know [when].”
Read more: Coleen Nolan shares powerful message amid Loose Women hiatus
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