Coleen Nolan has discussed her daughter’s reaction to her new boyfriend, as the pair went public with their relationship this week.
The 56-year-old introduced mystery man Michael Jones to fans with a joint OK magazine photoshoot and the pair's first ever interview.
Coleen discussed her decision to reveal Michael’s identity in a segment during Tuesday’s Loose Women show.
Fellow panellist Janet Street-Porter asked Coleen what her children’s reaction to Michael has been, saying: “It's alright for you to be happy, but what if things hadn’t gone well between them?”
Coleen admitted that blending their families together has been an “adjustment”, particularly for her daughter Ciara Fensome.
The Loose Women star has three kids of her own – sons Shane Jr, 33, and Jake, 29, from her first marriage to Shane Richie, and 21-year-old daughter Ciara from her second marriage to Ray Fensome.
Coleen said: “I think it's been an adjustment for the kids - certainly for Ciara.
“She’s had me to herself for the last four or five years and we’ve become a really tight unit. Although her boyfriend lives with us now - it was hard for Ciara at first - hard to see a man come in and be tactile and do everything with me, because her dad wasn’t like that with me.”
Panellist Judi Love chipped in to say: “It’s nice to see you have someone that’s about Coleen.”
She asked: “What is it about him that made you think this is it?”
Coleen replied: “Initially, he was so the opposite of anyone I’ve ever met before or been out with before.
“That was freaking me out a bit. He just does everything. Although there’s too nice - he’s not too nice as in boring - he won’t let me get away with anything. He’s caring and laid back and helping me. I just wasn’t used to it.”
Opening up about their relationship to OK, Coleen praised Michael, who works in logistics for a supermarket chain, for helping her feel “calm” and happy.
Discussing their first date, Michael and Coleen explained that they met for a drink in a pub at 5pm and stayed there downing drinks and getting to know each other until they were finally “kicked out” by staff after 11pm.
The duo then revealed that their respective children had been concerned when neither returned home after just a couple of hours – but Coleen explained she “really liked” Michael by the time she finally got home.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV
