Coleen Nolan has revealed she initially rejected her boyfriend Ryan Brockbank after discovering he was younger than she expected, telling viewers she thought he was “way too young” for her.
The Loose Women panellist, 61, discussed her relationship with Brockbank during Monday’s programme, as the panel debated age gaps in relationships. She clarified that there are 14 and a half years between them.
Nolan said Brockbank first contacted her after her appearance on Celebs Go Dating, asking whether she would like to meet for a drink. Although she initially left his message unanswered, she was won over when he made her laugh.
She said the subject of their ages eventually arose, with Brockbank telling her he was 46. Nolan recalled replying: “Oh god no. Way too young. Straight away, I said you’re too young.”
Asked by Katie Piper why she had previously limited her dating options to men aged 55 and over, Nolan attributed her hesitation to “my own insecurity”. She said she had assumed younger men would not be interested in a 61-year-old.
Nolan also explained that she had been reluctant to date anyone with younger children or someone who lived far away – both of which applied to Brockbank. However, she said their relationship had shown her that “when it’s the right one and the real one, all those things don’t matter, you make them work”.
The couple made their relationship public earlier this year, with Nolan sharing a photograph of them on social media. She has since described Brockbank as the person she needed after her previous relationships.
