Coleen Nolan has revealed why Loose Women colleague Brenda Edwards joining the cast of Chicago means so much to her, and it's all to do with her late sister Brenda.
Following the departure of TOWIE and Celebrity Big Brother diva Gemma from her role as Mama Morton in the hit musical's UK tour last month, Brenda, who took on the role 16 years ago, received a frantic phone call from producers asking her if she'd be interested in stepping in, in time to take the stage in Sunderland this week.
Brenda accepted the offer, with news of her casting delighting theatre fans who've seen her bring the house down in the likes of We Will Rock You and Hairspray, as well as Chicago, after she shot to fame on The X Factor in 2005. And on Wednesday's Loose Women, Brenda gave ticket holders a taste of what they can expect from her as she belted out Mama Morton's calling card When You're Good To Mama live on set.
READ MORE: Brenda Edwards facing 'mad' Chicago rush after Gemma Collins' exit
Host Jane Moore looked totally gobsmacked by her performance, before Coleen opened up about why she was so touched by Brenda returning to Chicago, sharing with the panel that it was the last theatre role her older sister Bernie took on before her death in 2013, following a long battle with breast cancer.
Coleen explained: ""It's really poignant to me this show, because it was Bernie's last show. Its got lots of memories for me and my family and now I get to see my bezzie in it!"
Brenda will perform in Chicago at Sunderland Empire on Thursday, June 2 and Saturday, June 6. And those who heard her sing on Wednesday's Loose Women were in no doubt that she is a very worthy replacement. One took to Twitter to post: "Your voice is sensational. Today's Chicago snippet in the show gave me goosebumps. Good luck with the show."
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