Coleen Nolan Stuns Fans by Introducing Ex-Husband Ray Fensome Live on Loose Women — Years After “Awful” Divorce

It was a moment no one expected on Thursday’s Loose Women, as singer and TV star Coleen Nolan came face to face with her ex-husband Ray Fensome — live on air.

The 60-year-old star stunned viewers when she introduced the day’s house band and revealed that the guitarist leading the group was none other than her former spouse.

Coleen and Ray, who were married for a decade and together for 17 years, share daughter Ciara, born in 2001. Though their relationship ended in divorce in 2018, the pair have remained on amicable terms — and Thursday’s emotional reunion proved just how far they’ve come.

A Powerful Episode With an Emotional Twist

The Loose Women panel — which included Coleen Nolan, Brenda Edwards, Oti Mabuse, Myleene Klass, and Kelle Bryan — hosted a special episode ahead of World Mental Health Day. The theme of the day was the healing power of music, and the show opened with a rousing live performance of Tina Turner’s classic hit “Simply The Best.”

Coleen kicked off the vocals before being joined by her co-stars Brenda and Kelle, while Myleene accompanied them on piano and Oti clapped along from the side of the stage. The audience erupted into applause as the women harmonised together, setting a joyful and heartfelt tone for the show.

As the final notes faded, Coleen — beaming but visibly emotional — turned to the camera and said:

“A big welcome to our house band, which is headed up by someone that I know particularly well…”

After a brief pause, she added with a smile:

“My ex-husband, Ray Fensome!”

The studio erupted in laughter and cheers as the camera panned to Ray, who waved modestly from behind his guitar.

“It Was Really Awful” — Coleen’s Honest Reflection on Their Split

Just days earlier, Coleen had opened up about the difficult end to their marriage, describing the divorce as “really awful.”

“It was a really awful time,” she admitted in a recent interview. “It wasn’t just about our relationship ending — it was about losing the life we’d built over so many years. I had to completely rebuild myself.”

Coleen and Ray’s love story began in the late 1990s when the Nolans singer was rebuilding her career and personal life after her first marriage to actor Shane Richie ended. The couple got engaged in 2005, welcomed daughter Ciara, and tied the knot in 2007.

But as the years went by, Coleen began to open up on Loose Women about the challenges in their relationship, hinting that they had “grown apart.” When the couple confirmed their split in early 2018, Coleen said she “couldn’t pretend everything was fine anymore.”

“I never thought I’d be divorced twice,” she said at the time. “But I had to do what was right for me and for Ciara. I just wanted peace — and happiness.”

From Pain to Positivity

Thursday’s on-air reunion was a full-circle moment for Coleen, who has spoken frequently about using music as a form of emotional healing.

After the live performance, she joined her co-stars in a heartfelt discussion about how songs can help people cope with trauma, heartbreak, and mental health struggles.

“Music got me through everything,” she shared. “It’s what saved me when my marriage ended, when I felt completely lost. Singing has always been therapy for me.”

Fellow panelist Brenda Edwards praised Coleen’s honesty, saying:

“It takes strength to sit here and sing your heart out — and then introduce your ex-husband with a smile. That’s real healing right there.”

Oti Mabuse added:

“That was such a beautiful moment. You could see the love and respect still there — even if it’s a different kind of love now.”

Fans Praise Coleen’s Courage

Viewers quickly took to social media to express their admiration for Coleen’s poise and maturity.

One fan posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Only Coleen Nolan could sing Tina Turner to her ex-husband live on TV! Absolute queen.”

Another wrote: “That was so emotional. You could tell there’s still real affection between them. What a lovely moment.”

Many fans also praised the show’s mental health theme, with several viewers saying the discussion helped them reflect on their own struggles.

“The music topic really hit home today,” one user wrote. “Coleen’s story shows that healing is possible, even after something as painful as divorce.”

A Heartfelt Lesson in Moving On

As the credits rolled, Coleen turned once more to the band and waved at Ray, who grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

It was a simple gesture — but one that spoke volumes about forgiveness, growth, and mutual respect.

“We’re in such a good place now,” Coleen said later. “We share a beautiful daughter, we have great memories, and we still have music connecting us. It’s taken time, but I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”

In a world where celebrity breakups often end in bitterness, Coleen Nolan and Ray Fensome showed the nation that sometimes, love doesn’t end — it simply changes form.

And as Coleen sang “Simply The Best” to open the show, there was little doubt who that lyric might have been for.