A Hand to Hold: All I’ve learnt about grief

by Coleen Nolan

Coleen Nolan – singer, TV host and agony aunt is known for her warmth, straight-talking and compassion. But her empathy and warmth have been earned the hard way – formed by her own deeply-felt experiences of loss and grief.

Inspired by her own life, and her podcast on grief, Coleen takes readers on a heartfelt and helpful journey through how to cope with all kinds of grief, drawing not just on her own thoughts and feelings, but on those of friends and celebrities she’s interviewed, who share their personal takes on loss and life after it. By turns moving, courageous and inspiring, each chapter also features a poem to make you smile, think or shed a tear.

Written with accessibility, heart and fellow-feeling, this is not a guidebook but a companion, a friendly word in the darkest times, packed with advice, understanding and hope – a book to say you’re not alone.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2024

About the author

Since joining Loose Women in 2000, Coleen has caused controversy with her outspoken opinions and often headline-grabbing stories. Her loose lips and saucy innuendos regularly get her in trouble too, but she can’t help it, she's a big flirt. Actually her flirty antics have often left gorgeous male guests in shock – do you remember a rather upfront chat with Enrique Iglesias? She's a massive fan of Simon Cowell and have even had erotic dreams about him! She was thrilled when the L.W panel presented her with a surprise birthday card from him on the show but she's still waiting for the real thing! As much as she loves her job, she's a real home-body and loves being a wife and mother. She tied the knot with musician Ray Fensome in November 2007 after he proposed to her on her 40th birthday. They have one daughter together, Ciara, who was born in June 2001. Previously married to actor Shane Ritchie for 10 years they have two sons, Shane Jnr and Jake. She has spoken openly on Loose Women about her struggle with the break-up. Actually her appearance on Trisha's Celebrity Heartbreak led to a guest appearance on Loose Women and an offer to become a regular panellist!

As you may know she is a member of The Nolan Sisters, whose success chalked up two Royal Performances, record sales in Britain and more than nine million records sold in Japan - that's more than The Beatles!. She joined the band in 1980 aged just 15. Their biggest hit, I'm In the Mood For Dancing has become a cult classic. She's also presented on This Morning and appeared as a panellist on The Wright Stuff. Coleen also had a weekly column in Woman magazine and a parenting column in the Daily Mirror. As well as a regular panellist on Loose Women Coleen also took part in ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2009 reaching the semi final.. Although she was dreading it at first, she really enjoyed it, even if she was being held together by sellotape by the end!. Her autobiography 'Upfront and Personal' was a top seller followed by her 1st novel 'Envy', which also charted highly. Her 3rd fitness Dvd 'Lets get Physical' was released in 2010 following on from The Nolans 2009 sellout reunion tour. In 2010 Coleen was asked to return to ITV's flagship morning show 'This Morning', almost a decade after they discarded her. Coleen has worked hard to prove her detractor's wrong and is currently one of the shining jewels in ITV's crown.

Reviews

[Preez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good comprehensive read on grief.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lovely and enjoyable read i related to this book as i lost my mother in april and it helped me understand grief better. it will also be a book where i can reach for when i am feeling down highly recommend this book to others that are going through stages of grief.

[Gill Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found a lot of this book interesting

[Tattooedbookworm77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love coleen and any book by her I will read she could read a magazine and I would listen to it , could listen to her talk all day !