Nolan: ‘My family backs resort’

Blackpool has had some bad celebrity press recently over its social problems and drunken behaviour, but Maureen said there were far more positives to the town than negatives .

She said things were changing for the better in Blackpool with many people working to tackle problem issues – ‘‘but it was a shame the problems tended to grab the headlines nationally.

He comments came after singer and Loose Women presenter Coleen, who moved out of the resort in 2007, described it as a ‘war zone’ due to binge drinking culture, while Jeremy Clarkson waded in to claim the town was full of “drunks, drug addicts and Syrian refugees”. 
Today Maureen said: “I perfectly understand why Coleen said the things she said in her column.

“She has had some terrible experiences when she lived in Blackpool, with her and her husband’s cars being damaged and her daughter’s rabbit killed.

“But I lived just around the corner from Coleen’s house for 28 years and I never had any trouble.

“Yes there are issues with stags and hens and drunken behaviour but it was such a shame she didn’t mention all the wonderful things we have here.

“The bad behaviour is a problem, there are places where you would not want to take your family out on a Saturday night, and it has to be addressed, but it is a shame that for some people that is all they associate with Blackpool.

“Whenever I am in a show in Blackpool I always tell my colleagues about the great things to do and see such as the Tower Ballroom, the Zoo and Stanley Park. They hardly ever know about our wonderful park, it’s fantastic.”

Maureen, who is currently touring in Willy Russell’s hit musical Blood Brothers ,said that when the Nolan Sisters got their big break as pop stars in the early 80s they had to move to London for a while, but most of them moved back to Blackpool later.

She said: “We have all had so many happy times in Blackpool in Stanley Park and the Zoo, even just walking around the De Vere. In just a minute you are almost out in the countryside.

“There is something magical about it and the people here have always been fantastic with us. I was upset with Coleen’s comment and the comments made on social media afterwards.

“I hope that people don’t think that the family is against Blackpool, most of us live here and love living here.

“My son and husband are Blackpool born and bred and we are all very protective of our town.

“The family has always been supportive of Blackpool and Denise and I are always singing its praises and are staunch supporters.

“I texted Coleen and she said she was a bit upset with the reaction, but she said she still loves Blackpool and that it was the best place to grow up as a kid, she was just a bit sad it has got the reputation it has recently.”