In short
Nadine Coyle (Girls Aloud) discusses her friendship with Sarah Harding, Sarah’s breast cancer diagnosis and death in 2021, and how laughter, closeness, and friend “nudges” can support breast cancer awareness and screening. The episode also includes Breast Cancer Now CEO Claire Rowney answering audience questions about aftercare, family support, and screening.
Guest backgrounds
Nadine Coyle is a member of Girls Aloud, formed on UK TV Popstars: The Rivals; she later performs solo and at Pride events. Claire Rowney is CEO of Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity (formed from merged charities).
Key claims
Friends can increase breast-checking behavior; routine “check in the shower/bath before bed” helps; emotional escape (fun, cooking, tidying, laughter) supports someone through diagnosis; after treatment, emotional adjustment is often hardest.
Notable examples
Sarah’s “last Christmas” revelation; a shared cooking night with quail eggs and celery salt; reunion tour performance of The Promise with Sarah’s hologram; headphones jumping after Sarah’s death; Nadine’s own benign lump removal in 2021 and fear afterward.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOIntroduction to the Episode and Guest
1:30 to 3:10
Olivia introduces the episode's theme and guest Nadine Coyle.
“40 grams of protein made to keep up with whatever comes next.”
Nadine's Internet Fame and Memes
3:10 to 4:50
Discussion about Nadine Coyle's status as a meme icon and her feelings about it.
“Now, if you can't tell, you're just listening to this episode, we are doing something a little bit different tonight.”
Social Media and Influencer Exhaustion
4:50 to 6:15
Nadine expresses her views on social media and the pressures of being an influencer.
“And I always, anytime there's like some sort of meme situation, I always look my worst.”
Nadine's Early Fame Experience
6:15 to 7:46
Nadine reflects on her rise to fame before the era of social media.
“Like I've never had a picture taken before in my life.”
Memories of Pop Stars, The Rivals
7:46 to 8:23
Nadine shares vivid memories from the reality show that launched her career.
“I kind of would love to know how that conversation would go.”
Living Together and Group Dynamics
8:23 to 11:07
Nadine talks about the experience of living with her bandmates and early impressions of them.
“Like, you know, it just reminds you of all of those times.”
Iconic Music Videos and Their Impact
11:07 to 13:30
Discussion about the production of their first music video and its cultural significance.
“Because I think there was like five of us on there, and it was a mess.”
Fashion and Cultural Trends
13:30 to 14:00
Nadine reflects on the fashion trends inspired by Girls Aloud's iconic style.
“Even like a full music video day at the end of it, everybody's grainy.”
Fashion Influence and Hair Transformations
14:00 to 16:12
Discussing the cultural impact of fashion and personal style changes in the past.
“You know, when you're all in the hair salon and you all had the pencil skirts on, I think we can blame you guys for us all wearing pencil skirts to the club.”
Memories of Sarah Harding
16:12 to 19:55
Sharing memorable moments and insights about Sarah Harding's character.
“You guys were like point-ballot sisters, it's fair to say.”
Show all 25 chapters
Coping with Sarah's Diagnosis
19:55 to 22:46
Reflecting on Sarah's breast cancer diagnosis and how they coped together.
“Like it can't be, what do you mean your last, there's no, there's no way that that can be real.”
The Reunion Tour Experience
22:46 to 24:35
Discussing the emotional experience of performing together after Sarah's passing.
Signs and Comfort from Sarah
24:35 to 28:01
Exploring spiritual connections and signs from Sarah after her passing.
“she would have thought it was amazing she would have said that we were dancing far too much and that we would need to take.”
Memories of Sarah: A Spiritual Connection
28:01 to 28:50
Nadine shares a powerful moment related to Sarah Harding's presence.
“That's what I read when I was researching.”
The Importance of Friendship in Health
28:51 to 30:24
A discussion on how friendships influence health awareness, particularly breast checks.
“and their new research with breast cancer now actually proves how powerful friendship really is.”
Facing Fears and Checking for Changes
30:25 to 32:23
Nadine opens up about her experience with breast health and the fear surrounding it.
“Like, you know, my friends know things about me against their will.”
Living in the Moment After Loss
32:24 to 33:45
Nadine reflects on how losing Sarah changed her perspective on life.
“so it doesn't feel like you've completed your routine until you've done that.”
The Power of Delusion and Self-Perception
33:46 to 36:27
A lighthearted conversation about maintaining positivity and self-image through delusion.
“a difference and I think that I was having a conversation with someone earlier about the fear that women have towards aging.”
Encouraging Breast Health Awareness
36:28 to 37:30
Nadine stresses the importance of checking breasts and spreading awareness.
“Actually, I pride myself on being super self-aware, but I think that some of the delusional people in my life are much happier than me.”
Fun Game: Who's Most Likely To
37:31 to 39:27
Nadine and Olivia play a fun game discussing Girls Aloud's dynamics.
“if you're up for it we love a game here in the house Yes.”
Pride Festivals and Community Connections
39:28 to 42:00
Nadine shares her experiences at pride events and the importance of community.
“You see, I also believe that time is like a construct.”
Lighthearted Banter Among Friends
42:00 to 43:32
Engaging discussions about personal quirks and laughter in serious moments.
“And then you need to get, somebody needs to get her a tushy, and she, yeah, she's that kind of laugher, yeah.”
The Mission of Breast Cancer Now
43:43 to 47:25
Discussion on the origins, mission, and daily operations of Breast Cancer Now.
“That's incredible so lots of smaller sort of independent charities and they've all come together to form this powerhouse that you guys are.”
Support for Survivors and Their Families
47:25 to 50:09
Insights on aftercare and emotional support for breast cancer survivors.
“But yeah, so that's really just ask, also ask what people want.”
Importance of Self-Examinations
50:09 to 51:07
Emphasis on the need for self-examinations and awareness of breast health.
“And I think, you know, the interesting thing I think about breast cancer is a lot of people think it's a done deal.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00All new Sundays at 9, exclusively on AMC and AMC+. I am the vampire Lestat. I'm a rock star now. I'm a little killer.
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1:52Olivia Attwood:40 grams of protein made to keep up with whatever comes next. New sweet green wraps hit different. Order now at order.sweetgreen.com. Do you know that you're an international meme icon? It's unfortunate. Is there a particular favorite? No, I hate them all. That is obviously how Girls Alive were formed and the five of you were put together. What were your impressions of each other? I remember Cheryl seemed like so shy. And then I get to know her and I was like, okay, yeah. I was like, wow, are you Gemini man? I did. The way you guys were styled had such a cultural impact. I think we can blame you guys for us all wearing pencil skirts to the club.
2:28Olivia Attwood:We were all wearing office attire to the club. I know. Sarah Harding tragically lost her life to breast cancer in 2021 at the tender age of 39. What was your first impression of Sarah? That she was mad. She was screaming. She had like tiny wee like bunches. But she's like, wah! And I was like, oh God, no. And then I saw a completely different side. very sensitive. When she shared her diagnosis with you, what went through your head? She was told this was going to be her last Christmas. And I was like, surely somebody's gotten it wrong. Yeah. Maybe this is all just a dream, actually, this, but it wasn't.
3:10Olivia Attwood:Hi, dolls. Welcome back to Olivia's house. Now, if you can't tell, you're just listening to this episode, we are doing something a little bit different tonight. We are doing a live recording of the podcast and we have an audience.
3:25Olivia Attwood:Yes. That was very good. I didn't even actually practice that. Before we get started, I want to say a huge thank you to Tombola who have teamed up with the UK's leading breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, to bring you today's episode. At Tombola, they're all about community and looking out for your friends was exactly what this partnership is about. Nearly half the women in the UK not checking their breasts regularly and one in 10 never having checked at all. They are on a mission to raise awareness and basically lean on community. That's what Tombado is all about, basically encouraging your friends to check their breasts.
4:01Olivia Attwood:And later in the episode, we'll be joined by the CEO of Breast Cancer Now, Claire Rowney, to answer some questions from the audience. But right now, today's guest, this is a canon event for me as a millennial, guys, you have no idea, is actual pop royalty. She is one part of one of the biggest girl bands in British history and responsible for some of the most iconic pop songs of the 2000s and one of the funniest women ever on the internet, if not intentionally. Guys, can we give it up for Nadine Coyle?
4:37Olivia Attwood:I was going to climb up. Do you know that you're an international meme icon? I mean, look, I haven't seen some of the memes, unfortunately. Unfortunately for me. And I always, anytime there's like some sort of meme situation, I always look my worst. No! It's always like the worst day possible. So yes, no, it's... Is there a particular favourite? No, I hate them all. I hate every single one, but you just have to live with it. And you're like, I don't even think that was funny. Like loads of them, I don't get it. I think that's why they're so good. Because it's always funny when people don't know that they're being funny.
5:17Olivia Attwood:Nadine, I'm here at my house. We have a little house policy. Okay. I think it's a little way to reset before we get into the chat. I always ask my guests if there's something they'd like to leave at the door. They were going to ban from the room. This becomes a sacred space. Yes. Nadine, what would you like to ban today? I am going to ban today. And I know it's the way of the word. but you know whenever you have to upload or do some sort of internet every day I have another WhatsApp groups and I can't even like deal with that with my own day-to-day admin you know never mind like the internet world I mean I think these are all great but I find it difficult to do that like checking out Are you talking about the social media and people are like hey guys anything to do with it yeah just jumping on like some people are like just post a picture of anything like you know have you drank a water today post that I'm like no nobody wants to see my water so yeah that's my that's my thing guys how do we feel about internet and jumping on are we like loving are we tired of it that was a collective without taking a breath we're tired it's exhausting isn't it it's exhausting and then I feel it as well because I always feel like I would say that being an influencer is like my default b job like it's just it's just a it comes with the territory because you're so good at it that's a thing well am i yes my publicist would have a different viewpoint on that because i do that i just post yeah i think later but it seems natural like it does seem like you're like i'm just doing this because of this like and i remember but it is it's a tie isn't it it is and it's just the the thinking of it and the you know they're like what am i supposed to i just completely go blank even even out there somebody was trying to take a picture and i was like uh-huh and i get really awkward.
7:01Like I've never had a picture taken before in my life. I immediately clam up.
7:07Olivia Attwood:I think what's so special about you and being, you know, the celebrity that you've experienced is that you were famous before all this. So you became very famous at a time before you had to do any of this. It was like the magazines and newspapers, all of that, but you didn't have to get online. You didn't have to push your music that way. Are you glad that you got to experience that before Instagram live? Definitely. I mean, I can only imagine. I believe that my reputation will be very different if there had been the internet and people could like sneakily take pictures of you and stuff. I know.
7:41It would be a whole different, it would be a whole different conversation. I kind of would love to know
7:47Olivia Attwood:how that conversation would go. I want to take you right back to Pop Stars, The Rivals. I mean, I remember it like it was... Yes, I remember it. But Davina and the band, it was such an era of sit-down telly, you know? It was excitement, bums on chairs. I mean, what was it like to live it? How vivid are those memories for you? Still so strong, and still I see people that still work in TV, that was maybe the one that was walking you onto the stage, and the minute I see them, I have immediate PTSD. And I think, oh my God, what song am I singing? Like, I have a dry throat. Like, you know, it just reminds you of all of those times.
8:29It was so intense. And I remember very early on thinking, you know, because you would see maybe the groups of fans outside would get more and more and more. I was like, this is so funny. Like last month I was at school or I was doing, and it became really apparent that it was just like, just because there was a camera there, just this little camera lens was the difference between me doing it on the stage and the person outside that was coming that wanted to be a singer or wanted an autograph. And I was like, oh my God, that tiny wee camera is so powerful. What it can do is just change, just completely change your life.
9:06Olivia Attwood:How scary were those Saturday nights when you were singing live in front of the nation? And you were so young. Yeah. You were so young. So scary. I remember somebody giving me a little tablet. They were like, it'll just melt in your mouth, because my mouth was so dry. It was there. I just spit it out before I went down. I was like, there's nothing. this is so terrifying i can't only imagine that is obviously how girls allowed were formed and the five of you um were put together what were your what were your impressions of each other out the gate so kimberly and i shared a room actually at the beginning sarah and i shared a room and kimberly wasn't on the original 12 girls that were there okay and then then kimberly was in the house and Kimberly and I had met in the rehearsal so that was great and then Sarah moved in another room and then I remember Cheryl seemed like so shy you know like she was like so sweet and so shy and then I got to know her and I was like okay yeah I was like wow are you Gemini bandage she's not but yeah it was so it was like you just getting to know them and obviously we were, then Nicola came on about later as well and she was, me and Nicola were already young.
10:23We were 17 at the time.
10:25Olivia Attwood:It's wild to think, isn't it? Crazy. So we actually had to have kind of chaperones still, like, you know, like a lady called Irene who, she was amazing. Irene, get up, you've got to. Can't lie in anymore. Irene, I'm saying my prayers. I need five more minutes. So all of them, she would bring me on tea and toast and stuff. So at Walls there was kind of that, I think because we weren't 18, we needed somebody to watch you. To have some kind of an eye on us. So we were that young. What was it like all living together there? Who was the messiest? Who was the messiest? God, that room. The reason why Sarah left the room is because I took it upon myself to tidy that room.
11:10Because I think there was like five of us on there, and it was a mess. And I was like, I cannot. So I took everybody's stuff off every, you know, like every, like, every bathroom, every, like, every, like, sideboard, every toothbrush, and I'd sat everything down. And Sarah thought I had just taken her stuff down. She was like, are you trying to move me out of here? I'll just move. I was like, no, look, it's thickly dirt. But I don't know who. Are you a clean girl?
11:36Olivia Attwood:I am a clean girl, yeah. Yeah, me too. I don't like mess. It sends me, like, I can't relax in a messy space. Absolutely not. It would be. so I just and I couldn't love with it anymore I was like tossing and turning I just see like the mold you just grow and it was like why is this allowed to be yeah but yeah so that was that was I don't know who it was it was a collective you definitely um created some of the most iconic music videos of all time we were just talking backstage Karin we gave Karin Darnell makeup artist a shout out who's my makeup artist now who works on your first video sound of the underground I saw her walking on today and I was like, Karen!
12:15Olivia Attwood:Which is, when I was prepping for this chat with you today, I was talking about what she was like, oh my God, I was there. And I was like, no, this is like a sign. This is like a full circle moment. It's insane. It is. What was it like shooting that first video? Is that when you first thought, oh my God, we're pop stars. Do you know, it was, that's what you would think. I think everybody, you're always waiting for that moment when you're like, this is it. This is it, you know, this is the moment, you know, we've made it. But I don't think it ever really lands. occasionally you have like some moments but like as you know yourself when the workload is so much it's hard to like enjoy what you're doing because you're doing it and then the minute that's done you're on to the next thing and you're on to the and you're prepping for something else and something else so you can have those moments of that looks great which it does so into the undergoing videos still looks great but I remember the day even Karen and I were talking about it we They were like, we were frozen.
13:07Yeah. We were dirty. We were up all night.
13:10Olivia Attwood:Yeah. You never want to, whenever I talk to anyone in the industry, I'm like, they get it. Like, you make TV shows. They look, and I don't want to read it for anyone, ever try and not spoil the magic. But often, you say the things that look so fab behind the scenes are the least glam. Absolutely. If you're on location filming something for a couple of days, it gets pretty, it's pretty tough. It does. Even like a full music video day at the end of it, everybody's grainy. like you know you're like oh don't walk too close no good advice that took 24 hours to film is that correct at least and it was the worst one as well we were busting out of costumes we were like stuck together with gaffer tape that's no word of a lie like the costumes though were iconic like i and i really feel like because it's different now music videos just not what they were i don't know if people if they even do them to that scale anymore but the the way you guys were styled had such a cultural impact.
14:05Olivia Attwood:I was talking to someone about biology. Yes. You know, when you're all in the hair salon and you all had the pencil skirts on, I think we can blame you guys for us all wearing pencil skirts to the club. Because that, that impends, we were all wearing office attire to the club. I know. Like, well, they hadn't even had a real job yet. And I had a suit on. Yeah. And I remember, I think for biology, you had all changed your hair slightly. Like, I think Nicola had gone like this really dark red colour. And it was one of you. And I remember I printed off on my dad's computer on A4 a colour image of one of you to take to Tony and Guy's to show how I, that's how we used to do it.
14:44Olivia Attwood:Like, isn't that insane? And I remember my dad was acting like he'd never financially recover from me printing something in ink. Like, he was losing his head. Oh, shit. And I was like, this is what we did, wasn't it? You don't see the only way. or you like find a magazine and you store it and you kept it with you until you were until your next hairdresser and you're like this is it one of the Appleton sisters that's what I want yeah was there any outfits that stood out for you that you either loved or hated that stick in your memory hated the no good advice collectively I hated all of our outfits we all did isn't that funny when we were all like so influenced and you were like we don't like them I know but it was too late like often you know like things are put together and then you're like it's too late night you know you get the buddy who shits today like we don't have any options it was you just get on with gaffer tape gaffer tape did you keep any do you know i've actually saw those red belts today i had my red belt because there's just like a load of boxes a load of stuff so there's loads of like archive things and i've ended up somehow with a lot of the girls costumes as well so it's funny when you look and you're like, I remember this so well.
15:56This was from this day or this day or this definitely wasn't mine. So I have to get them back all of their butts. That's amazing.
16:04Olivia Attwood:You and Sarah are always particularly close. Sarah Harding tragically lost her life to breast cancer in 2021 at the tender age of 39. You guys were like point-ballot sisters, it's fair to say. I'd love to talk to you about her. What was your first impression of Sarah? That she was mad. that she was completely mad. She was screaming. She had like tiny wee like bunches, blonde bunches. Do you remember that? She was like, wah! And I was like, oh God, no. Oh no. And then we were, because it was a bag like a dish, and then you had been whittled down and then we were all in the house together. And then we had shared, and then I saw a completely different side.
16:45A whole different side. Very sensitive, very well educated. You know, reads books, really insightful. so she just had all of like you know the best kind of qualities that a person could have including that mad energy as well she was super smart so smart so smart and good fun and i think that
17:05Olivia Attwood:from the outside looking she always looked like she was the one making you guys laugh and you know going on wild nights and sort of creating stories do you have any particular memories that come to mind when you think of her we have so many i bet oh my god we have so many. Let me think of one was one of the times when we came to LA. She came to LA. I was in LA and she came to LA. And then she had this notion that she was going to rent a car. So she rented a red Mustang, but she had never driven like in America or driven on that side of the road or done all of those things. So I met her at the Shudders Hotel in Santa Monica.
17:44And we get under the car and we're going to head to like somebody's house party in Malibu. And it's like, oh, God, I was like, amazing. And then she couldn't get the car going. The car was like, and I was like, we can't head on doing motorways like that. What are we going to do? So I was like, wait, let me try it. So I ended up driving this Mustang the whole way to this party in Maliby somewhere. So then I have to be not taking a drink the whole time. Then I have to like sit and be civilized. Not that it's fine. You can be a designated driver once in a while. Yeah. But I had to do it. And I was like, oh, my God.
18:15It wasn't your plan. It was not my plan. And then we came back that night and the, you know, the roof was down and Sarah was just having a ball, hanging out, going down the PCH, like loving her best life. As I'm like chugging along in this like red, massive big Mustang thing and her just like loving her life. It was great. It was brilliant. For her.
18:38Olivia Attwood:For her. Yeah. She had a while. She had a chauffeur. She had the Mustang. Why? in sarah's book hear me out she spoke so beautifully about your friendship um and how much comfort you gave her after her diagnosis uh she talks about an evening you spent together eating cheese crying and laughing after finding out that she had breast cancer at one point you turned to her and said you don't understand sarah i love you oh what do you remember about that night you spent together? I think the night she's talking about because we had done we had loads of fun times and the nights like like there was a night that I had went up to she was living in Manchester at the time this gorgeous house and we'd went out and got she wanted like langoustines and always what I remember she wanted quail's eggs and celery salt.
19:27So random. I can't pass a quail's egg without a bit of celery salt these days I suggest to try it it's very good and always think of Sarah. So we were like cooking and we had like other friends around and I just remember it being like, but, and she was, she was told this was going to be our last Christmas, but it's like, so we went and got a Christmas tree. We like got everything to decorate the Christmas tree, get all that food. They like have a lovely night and decorate it. And I was like, but that can't be real. Like surely somebody's gotten it wrong. Like it can't be, what do you mean your last, there's no, there's no way that that can be real.
20:03is so huge it's almost unfathomable unfathomable it's like what do you mean but there's no way there's no and i was like but i it just can't it just can't happen there's just no i'm just gonna refuse to believe that that's just part of just don't believe them maybe they're maybe it's all some sort of bag sack joke or maybe we're dreaming yeah you know and it was like covid time still so everything was weird everything was so you're like maybe this is all just a dream actually this but it wasn't.
20:31Olivia Attwood:When she shared a diagnosis with you, what went through your head? I thought, again, naively, I have known people that have, you know, that have had breast cancer or done things and have survived. I thought this is, you know, just going to be a thing that just needs to be handled, needs to be taken care of and dealt with. And then, you know, that'll be a chapter on the book that will continue year after year after year. But... It's such a serious, scary, you know. And she was so young as well. So you don't think it that young that you're not like, you know, and even it's difficult for people so young to get screened.
21:10So so many things that we're all trying to work on. We're here to hopefully make sure that we can get people, you know, the awareness and more people are taking care of themselves and their friends.
21:21Olivia Attwood:Someone that could be here or listening to this episode who is supporting a friend or a relative through that journey of breast cancer. what would be your kind of advice on how to approach that? My approach was just to be just the fun time care. We're not talking about that. I'm not a doctor. I'm not a scientist. I can't help you at all with that, with anything. But we can have a laugh. I can cook for you. I can clean up after you. I can, you know, we can just go and just have a laugh because that's really... So providing an escape from that reality. I was an escape. Did you guys manage to laugh all the way through pretty much until the end and keep that joy?
22:00Olivia Attwood:Yes, absolutely. And that is, I think that is such a powerful, incredible thing and something that probably was such a savior for her. Yeah. To be able to laugh in dark times is really. She was so brave. She was so brave. She was so like poised with it all. And she was just so, just so brave. like it almost like it didn't even bother her at all she was trying to be strong for everybody else it's like you don't you don't have to be and she's like it's fine it's this you know she was just so she was so stoic through it all yes what is something that you wish people knew about sarah you knew her on a real level and like the public knew her for what they they saw consumed what is something you wish they knew about her sarah just the biggest soft day sweetheart and i think people know i think if you look and you're looking through that you can see it yeah and her yes she's like she was in a warmth so warm so she would have never have seen somebody in a room sitting by themselves or lonely or like isolated or any of those things really lovely loved a laugh loved her animals loved a have fun just just all the best things they know that people get great quality she got she got them all you guys obviously the band you uh you came back for your reunion tour which had i think it had that beautiful mix of of remembering sarah and also celebrating her because you had the you had the all the big hits and the big performance but you did the beautiful um performance of the promise with the hologram of her behind how emotional was that performing that song and having that imagery of her i mean it was to watch was like it's so moving I can't even imagine what it was like for you guys yeah and it was we done um a whole lot of history as well and she yes and it keeps on singing and that was like an outro too and that was that was almost harder than the promise because you could kind of see we had to walk back and then see her walking away and us walking away and it was like she should be walking off with us and you know and I still forget I think that anybody that knows or you know has experience with grief you have loads of moments where you forget that it happened yeah you know so you're like i would look for her and be like oh my god she's not there like damn it i really just thought she was just gonna be there so yeah it's it comes and goes you know what do you think she would have thought of the um the reunion and you guys being back together like that she would have thought it was amazing she would have said that we were dancing far too much and that we would need to take.
24:42So me and Sarah used to do, we would step out of the hardcore dancing and let the other three girls, like, you know, just go for it. Go on a fold, because they love doing that. Me and Sarah would be like harmonizing something in the background. Just a bit of swaying. Yeah. But no. I was like, no, Sarah, I have to do all of this dancing. Now that I don't have you to step out with. So, yeah, but she would have loved it. She would have had loads of fun. She would have said that we were being far too sensible, I reckon. We were very sensible. What, as in like, do you have any nights out? Or were you like, it was very different to how it was the first time round?
25:17Yeah, it was very different to the first tours round. And we all thought that. It just felt so, everything about it felt really different. It felt quite serious and quite grown up, just in the way that it was so sensitive with the subject of Sarah. And because I think people knew that she was ill, but they didn't know she was that ill. So I think it was like she was there and then she's not. Yeah. So it's almost like going through those emotions together with the audience and having that. So it's kind of somber and, you know, sobering in a way. So you're kind of like...
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25:51Olivia Attwood:Because when you came off last evening, you must have felt physically tired from the dancing. Yeah. And then emotionally drained. Like you're probably thinking I need to like get my head into bed now. Exactly that. Yeah. That was kind of it. You're like, okay. you've spoken I think Cheryl's spoken a little bit about feeling her presence in random places what's an example of a time when you feel that she's there definitely on tour definitely anything to do with Gerge Lloyd you feel that she's somebody's missing there's absolutely you know say if we were all sitting here you don't quite you're not quite ready you're waiting for someone else the next one you're waiting for her specifically to come in so as much as it And it was lovely.
26:34It was very different, like very different without her. Was there a story about some headphones moved? Yes, yes. They jumped, they physically jumped. So she had just passed away the day before. I was doing a show in Dublin that I couldn't leave from day go. And we were all sitting there and I have multiple witnesses. And all of a sudden we were talking about her and literally the headphones jumped from there, like literally jumped off and landed on the floor. And that was the first time we were like, oh my God, there must be some sort of like weird something going on. When it happened again by this point, because it was in the hair and makeup room, everybody just kind of jumped back and were like, what is going on?
27:20I was like, are you a really powerful soul? And you're like, you've just got there. Do you know what I mean? Like are you like running things up there already? You're able to move headphones? She's come to mess with you already on day one.
27:33Olivia Attwood:Yeah. So you've just got there. And did you believe in stuff like that before? Totally. Yes, I've always believed. Yes, you've always been open to that. Always been open, but I would always ask, like, I don't want to see any ghosts. Like, no ghostly presence of, you know, like, you know, when you think of ghosts, you think, like, pirates and stuff. I don't know why I think of, like, a pirate ghost. Don't show up, no. I believe, but I don't want to see. but that was great to see yeah because that must although it probably shocked you it'd provide a level of comfort to know that she's with you guys yeah it was like are you that powerful like it just it just felt it felt so powerful but then it felt like it was absolutely coming from her because there was nothing else it would be like one of those cups or your headphones jumping off the table right now it's incredible you'd be like hi what is under there what and Cheryl was in the car and a song came on is that right I heard that.
28:29Olivia Attwood:Oh, yes. It was, wasn't it? That's what I read when I was researching. She was driving and the radio just turned on and it was one of your songs. Yeah, I think it was actually one of Sarah's songs. I think it was like one of hers or something that she had just done just by herself. And it just came on. That just came on when she was driving. Yeah. Just wild, isn't it? Mm-hmm. Nadine, now obviously friendship is at the core of everything Tombola does. and their new research with breast cancer now actually proves how powerful friendship really is. They found that over half of women are more likely to check their breasts just because a friend reminded them.
29:04Olivia Attwood:You and Sarah clearly had that incredible bond. Do you think a nudge from a friend is a good way to get other women checking their breasts? Absolutely. I think that's it. We talk about everything else. We talk about everything. If you get a bad manicure, it's going to be discussed in depth. but we're not going to talk about like these really important things that we really make sure you do it the night when you get under the shower the bath you know before bed like we should be doing that checking out in those ways because ultimately those things are life and death and things can be can be found sooner and can be sort of it's worth us keeping keep it on top of one another one because like you say it's one of those things that you do and then you suddenly don't realize how long it's been since you've done it yeah and i i don't know if anyone else has experienced this it's like i had a lump in it was it was 2021 i had this lump removed from my breast and it was benign but it was a it was a decent it was a pretty big lump it was you know luckily it was nothing sinister but then i went through a stage after that where i almost became fearful i didn't want to touch my boobs i actually was i didn't want to feel even though i you know finding it and having it removed and biopsied was obviously all of that was really lucky and i'm glad i then i didn't put off and i know a lot of my friends they almost go i don't want to i don't want to i'm scared it's like but we can't like you say die out of the fear of because the sooner it's caught or found the sooner the more treatable it is yeah but like you say but there's so i think this i think us brits are quite prudish about our bodies our nudity and all that stuff and we talk about everything else about girlfriends.
30:44Olivia Attwood:Like, you know, my friends know things about me against their will. That they are like, that information didn't need to be shared. Yeah, it's the job though. And like, I know things about them, their bodies. I know things about their partner's bodies. I mean, I had to look opposite their partner at a dinner table. I think, I know things about you, sir, that I really don't want to know. Do you know what I mean? But then when it comes to our sexual health, our, you know, our breasts, there is an awkwardness there. And, you know, a tombola is obviously community is a big part of what they do and the the chats part of their site and their app women are talking about everything i was talking to some of the team here at tombola saying people on tombola are talking and and reminding each other and i just think that it's probably a good thing we could all do is is drop it in the in the whatsapp chat or whoever's watching love island tonight while you sat there just check your boobs exactly just and look don't just check like with feeling but look for changes is it something that you remind your pals about more now or do you have more the forefront of your mind than it ever was i'm sure totally like um again because sarah was so young and it was one of the you're not you're not taking it as seriously as what it needs to be taken you there's a there's a naivety to think that well this isn't this isn't my problem yet this is an older woman's problem and it's not the case it's not the case at all unfortunately yeah You know, and it's just, it's just becoming more, more, more, more people are being touched by it.
32:08So it has that kind of, and that's a great idea. You're watching, like, like a, like a habit. Like I would try to tend to be, okay, I'm the shower. You're on the shower, you're on the bath. Like that's a good time. That's, and there's no time is too early to start, you know, and have it be part of your routine. So it's like the automatic, like reaction of, okay, this is my routine and then this is now part of it. so it doesn't feel like you've completed your routine
32:32Olivia Attwood:until you've done that. But then checking in with our girlfriends and making sure, have you done your thing? Like, have you done your red light therapy? Have you done this? Because you say all the useless crap that we all subscribe to do appearance-wise, and that is something to put into your routine that is literally life-saving. How has your view on life changed in the wake of Sarah's, of losing Sarah? did it change your perspective on life definitely definitely it's you know you don't it just especially because she was so full of life you just see that you know all all change in somebody so bright and it's something you know like breast cancer it's just one of those things for some people you can find a way and you can you know find a way to love you know the rest of your life because they keep on top of it but for her it wasn't the case and it's just you can't take anything for granted not a single thing can you take for granted um and that was really that you have to really kind of be in the moment and love in the moment and like the most of that moment because I know it sounds so cheesy but it really does make such a difference yeah such such a difference and I think that I was having a conversation with someone earlier about the fear that women have towards aging.
33:55Olivia Attwood:And don't get me wrong, right? I'm going to sit here and say that I'm going to stop Botox. I'm very, I don't want to look like I've been alive for ages, but I'm grateful to be alive. Does that make sense? Yeah. Do you get what I'm trying to say here? Completely. But I remember when I was like 28, 29, it's like, I remember hearing other women around, oh my God, I'm going to be 30. You know, all that sort of doom talk around, oh my God, I went until you're 30. It's all like over. like being in my 30s is my favorite age I've ever been in like I wouldn't even want to go back to my 20s and every age I get to I feel more grateful I enjoy life so much more so it's like and like it is a privilege to make it to every milestone that not everyone gets to see so I feel like it's it's really leading into that and like say living life to the fullest yeah and also I think when when terrible things happen and like even having this conversation with you and talking about Sarah and how sick she was it puts a lot of things in perspective the stuff that we we all like stress about on a daily basis like so much of it is just so trivial and we let it consume us like you say we don't we never know how long we've got here so kind of and they think that you worried about you know a couple of wrinkles or like you know should i just go for and get that face left or it's like who cares do you know what i have found right i'll tell you i found the secret to happiness and like feeling good about yourself am i sad that i thought you were going to say the secrets looking youthful because i was like no i'm not and then you've gone happiness no no i can't say that no no i i couldn't say that i mean definitely not uh but the secret to it it's almost like it's like delusion right Right?
35:38And if you beauty light your house, so if your lights, if your bathroom mirrors or you're living or mirrors or whatever, and you look beautiful, then it's not my business. I've left the house looking gorgeous. If somebody sees something else, that's their eyes playing trick. As far as I'm concerned, I have left looking gorgeous. There's never been anybody more beautiful. And me and my sister recently, and she was like, my God, I look great. My skin. And I was like, I know, me knowing, I'm like, this is like, beautiful. And then we got to somewhere else we were flying. She was like, oh my God, my skin has just fallen apart overnight, overnight.
36:16And I'm like, you see this, you don't look at yourself out. You just like set your lights, always find the best light for yourself and then move on. I'm not obsessing. That's a good thing. Somebody else can. And then that's their problem to obsess over me. And she's not too.
36:32Olivia Attwood:I'm taking that be more DeLulu. Yeah. It's a secret. Actually, I pride myself on being super self-aware, but I think that some of the delusional people in my life are much happier than me. Yeah, totally. Maybe we need to leave self-awareness at the door. Yes. Maybe we all need a little bit more delusion. Totally, why not? Like, I can say to you, you have good, stunning skin. So I can be like, oh, my God, we have such similar skin. My skin is like so the same. Or I look at my daughter, he's 12, and I'm like, wow. And then I'll see mine. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, there's quite a difference between 12 and 40.
37:05but I don't have to know I don't have to go like lock and T closely there's just I'm just not going to do it to myself
37:11Olivia Attwood:oh my god that was a brilliant take Nadine thank you for talking so candidly to me about your beautiful friend and with all of us honestly I feel very grateful to have had that conversation with you and also of course spreading awareness for breast cancer and breast cancer now and encouraging the gals to check their boobs yes do it I'm going to play a little game with you if you're up for it we love a game here in the house Yes. So we, me and the team, we've devised a little who's most likely to. Okay. Girls allowed edition. Ooh, okay. Okay. Who is most likely to forget the words on stage? Me, absolutely.
37:51I done it on this recent tour and I actually forgot the words so badly that I was like, I'm singing the wrong words. I couldn't even think what the word, and I sang it in a Derry accent as well. I didn't even try to put on my singing accent. I was like, I... Wait, what's the singing accent? Oh, you have to sing in a... I can't sing in a dairy accent. Wait, that would be... Imagine that! The songs that you know would not be the songs that you know.
38:17Olivia Attwood:It would be very different. I don't know why I never even thought of that. Yeah. Were you just performing at Pride recently? Yes. Did you have the best time? So good. So good. Which Pride was it? I done Birmingham Pride and then I done York Pride. Just a couple of... Come on. Yeah. And then I'm out all summer. I'm doing Manchester. Were they guys living for it? Were they eating it up? Yeah. We have spent so many years together. And we still do. So the summer is now like pride summers, like festivals, prides, we are out. And I started doing them some years ago and I would want to go to the smallest city available.
38:50Like, I don't even want to know the name of it. Like, I've never heard of this before. Because those are the places that need the pride festivals, that need to bring it on to the smaller communities. Obviously, we've got huge ones in London, but it's the smaller towns that you're like yeah we're going to go and we're going to be proud and we're going to enjoy this and you know for like people that might not necessarily want to bring it up to their parents like I've had this time and time again they'll come to the show because they're like oh well my my mom loves you you're my and then they can come in they'll be like by the way I'm gay as well and then it's all part of the you know the whole thing so yes I'm very proud to be part of that community.
39:26Amazing.
39:27Olivia Attwood:Okay, who's most likely to turn up late to rehearsals? Me. Are they all going to be you? You see, I also believe that time is like a construct. Oh, yeah. You know? Does this feed into the DeLulu theory? Yeah, I don't want to be shackled. I believe in quality over quantity. So it's got to be good quality time. I can't just like rock up at the crack of dawn and be like, give my best work. I need to like, I need to like ease a bit. What's a sort of palatable time for you? Anytime after 2pm.
40:07Yeah, that's a good time. Who's most likely to mess up choreography? Well, as I explained earlier, like the other three girls are really under choreography. They love it. They get like a real kick out of it. Love a dance. Love a breakdown, you know. And I'm like, oh god not that not oh god that's that's wrong but i'm just not like i i doesn't do any like dance class so you know like when you're younger it wasn't your thing it just wasn't my thing so now i have to concentrate way more and then i sometimes just and i'm left-handed and they're all right-handed oh god so then we have to like make adjustments so yeah the choreographer sometimes i'm like this doesn't really need to be choreographed i feel like this but needs to be free.
40:50Freestyle. We're getting freestyle.
40:52Olivia Attwood:Who's most likely to be the last standing at a party? Definitely me. Yeah. Come on. Although, Kimberly can put on a good shift. Can she? She can. Like, make no mistake about it. Kimberly on a good night. She's staying out. She is good fun. We had a, we'd actually did have like our one crazy night on tour. We stayed up late and it was in Dublin and we did. I had to walk her to bed. and I had to like knock on the door and it was her husband I was like Justin come get your wife who's most likely to lose their passport on tour never me I would never do such a thing have you only organised Tidy Queen I've actually despite you know a popular opinion I've actually never lost my passport you better touch something now because you've just changed the life out of yourself well yes would touch is this an olive tree yeah I love an olive tree Olivia so I'm making a push for a real olive tree just budget dependent also we have no light in the studio so I'd need someone to take them up to the street once a week to get some daylight we're looking into who would like on the roll like a plant sitter somebody take it out once a day that's just so Oprah of me I don't think I'm quite there yet so passport who loses stuff do you know what if I was to say Nicola I'm going to say I mean I think we're all quite organized but also the tour manager will hold all of that stuff so it's not really our problem thankfully and it shouldn't be though who is most likely start laughing in the middle of something serious do you know I think Cheryl does she get the giggles she gets the giggles and she like tears come out of her eyes I have a friend like that she does always starts crying always straight away with a crying and you're like But it's crying and laughing, so it's that, and soundless.
42:48You know, like that, like a wheezy. And then you need to get, somebody needs to get her a tushy, and she, yeah, she's that kind of laugher, yeah. Who's most likely to reveal a banned secret by accident? Well, I just need to know when there are secrets. I need to be like, I need to be specifically told as this. Somebody say, Nadine, this is like not to be shared. Yeah. This is like this, and I'm like, but I'm like, not to be shared with you. who specifically does it not have to be shared i could tell you
43:21Olivia Attwood:oh my god that was good fun i feel like that was you for most of them yeah yeah i know so obviously today we're partnering with breast cancer now and uh tombola so i'd like to invite to the stage please uh ceo of breast cancer now claire rowney
43:43Olivia Attwood:Claire thank you so much for joining the chat um you are CEO of Breast Cancer Now tell me how did Breast Cancer Now come to exist how did you guys form this charity oh it's a really it's an interesting story because it's actually lots and lots of charities that over the years have merged so we're now by far actually the biggest breast cancer charity in the UK and we combine the power of research with supporting people every day with breast cancer so it's a really magical job I'm really lucky to do it. That's incredible so lots of smaller sort of independent charities and they've all come together to form this powerhouse that you guys are.
44:18Olivia Attwood:What's a day like for you on a what's an average day look like? I don't know honestly it's such a fun job because there's no average day so today it's exciting so I'm getting to do this and that's been great. I was with a donor this morning who had just given us£2 million. Wow. I know. So it's like incredible. And then some days, unfortunately, I'm in risk and governance meetings and we're talking about all the terrible things that could happen. Yes. But it's a really lovely job. I always say it's the best job I've ever had. So super varied and I'm sure obviously so rewarding. Yeah, my goodness.
44:51Olivia Attwood:You were talking about perspective earlier and it's just one of those things. When you do a job like this, you're blessed every day with an amazing perspective on life and you really really don't worry about the small stuff absolutely um we have some questions here from some audience and listening questions um so i'll get into it that's okay uh rebecca's asked as a breast cancer survivor i found that once treatment ended the aftercare and emotional adjustment were actually the hardest part what supports available people navigating this stage yeah that's it's really true we hear that a lot that people often say i feel like i've fallen off a cliff.
45:27Olivia Attwood:So when you have a breast cancer diagnosis, you hear those words, there's a pathway that you're on. You know, you're seeing your oncologist, you're seeing your breast cancer nurse, you know you've got treatments, they're all scheduled for you. And it feels like all of these arms are around you. And then you basically have your last treatment and they say, okay, off you go. And you're like, what? So you feel a little bit thrown out the nest, so to speak. Yeah, exactly. And that's really where we step in. So we, I mean, we help people all the way along from the time they hear those words but at the end we run courses for people so we run this course called moving forward which helps people to in a group with other people who have had similar diagnoses and are at a similar point get on with their lives and talk about the things that are really worried about we've got a nurse's helpline so sometimes people are just worried about signs and symptoms they're worried that it's come back they can call us we can tell them about the things to look for the things to worry about yes and so on and then we also do this kind of peer-to-peer support where we can pair people up and they can kind of go through it together and people find that really helpful and we help families and friends because of course a lot of people don't really know how to support their family member or friend so that must be a you know I put that question to Nadine which you answered so beautifully supporting a friend or a family member with the diagnosis that must be a question that you get asked a lot on how is best to help yeah what are some of your kind of top tips if they were on helping someone?
46:55Olivia Attwood:Nadine gave a great answer because sometimes you, well first of all you want your friends to be normal. Yes. I was actually diagnosed with breast cancer last year so having been the CEO of breast cancer now, I then heard all of that and so I was able to experience it for myself and the best thing were the people I had a laugh with, all of you know like just the normality. When you're going through all of the you know treatments and you come out the other side, you just want people to see you for you, not for you as a breast cancer survivor or somebody who's got breast cancer. So you sound like you're an amazing friend, Sarah.
47:25Olivia Attwood:But yeah, so that's really just ask, also ask what people want. Sometimes they do want some food or someone to tidy up. Or just to watch TV together or, you know. Absolutely. Scarlett has asked, breast cancer has affected both my nans, one in early life and one later in life. Are there pre-screening options available before you're invited for a scan? Yeah. So, sorry to hear about both grandmas. So, there's a family history assessment that happens in the UK. So, if you have had close family members affected by breast cancer and you're worried about that, you can talk to your GP and they will refer you if you kind of hit the criteria.
48:07Olivia Attwood:But they tend to be things like if more than two members of your family have had breast cancer, certainly if people have had breast cancer under the age of 40. And if you're found to be at higher risk you will either if it's kind of a risk that's moderate you'll have regular screening so that will be a mammogram for example and if you're at high risk then a clinician will talk to you about screening they might talk to you about medication and even risk reducing surgery but there's lots that can be done for people that are at high risk. So essentially you find out from a GP what risk category you fall into and then they will let you know what screening options are available to you.
48:45Olivia Attwood:Yeah, the GP will refer you to a family assessment clinic in a hospital. So there's another step. But the GP is a good place to start. Or people can just call our helpline and we can help them sort of navigate the system. Okay. Laura's asked, if everyone in this room could just do one thing after the day, what would you want it to be? Well, this is why the partnership with Tom Bowler is so brilliant because it's all about breast checking. So about two thirds of breast cancers show up when people are checking themselves. So not through mammograms, not through anything else, but people notice something that's different.
49:18Olivia Attwood:So I would say the number one thing is get to know your breasts. There are no rules. There's no particular way you need to do it. But other than to feel them and to look at them, because some of the signs and symptoms you can only feel and some of them you can only see. And then the next step is if you're worried, go to your GP. So you were talking, weren't you, about I just don't want to know. And that's really not uncommon. but if you find something go and the reason I would say go is if breast cancer is found at stage one so like at the early stage and the tumor's small survival rate's about 98 percent wow so it's really high but the further it gets to develop the lower your chances of survival for five years so at stage four which means you've had breast cancer in your breast and it spread to another part of your body survival rates over five years are only about 27 percent yeah so it It jumps off a real cliffhage.
50:09Olivia Attwood:It really does. And I think, you know, the interesting thing I think about breast cancer is a lot of people think it's a done deal. They think, oh, loads of people survive. You said that. And lots of people do survive. But it's still the biggest killer of working age women in the UK. It's still the cancer women are most likely to get. And, you know, around 60 ,000 women each year get it. About 20 % of them are under 50. So about 10 ,000 people under 50 get breast cancer each year. these are big numbers they're much bigger than I had realised yeah so keep checking and go to your GP if you're worried about anything and like you said those visual signs as well so it's like through your cycle obviously your breasts change they can feel hard so is it just knowing what your normal is and then noticing when something's different exactly and it is just exactly that because sometimes it can just be a rash you know and you don't think and that could be a rash and it can be yeah it can be a sign of breast cancer it can be a bit of puckering, can be a lump, which is obviously the one people sort of most commonly know.
51:11Olivia Attwood:But there are seven signs and symptoms. You can look at them on our website, on the Tom Vaila website. Yes. Claire, thank you so much. Honestly, this is, you know, really powerful work you're doing alongside with Tom Bowler. Thank you for this partnership and having this conversation today. It's been great. And Nadine, thank you so much. Thank you for talking so candidly about your lovely friend. I'd like to thank, again, Tom Bowler, who teamed up with the UK's leading breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, to bring us this very special live recording. Find out how to check your breasts now by going to the Tom Butler website and the Breast Cancer Now hub, which is easily searchable.
51:46Olivia Attwood:And please share this episode with a friend or a family member. Guys, can we just get one more big round of applause for Nadine Coyle and Claire Rowney, CEO of Breast Cancer Now.
52:33Olivia Attwood:We'll be right back. We must have favorites made for the summer. Timeless designs that shine with you through every moment, wherever the summer takes you. Shop in store or online now through July 5th. Terms and conditions apply. Visit Pandora.net for details. The right window treatments change everything. Your sleep, your privacy, the way every room looks and feels. At Blinds.com, we've spent 30 years making it surprisingly simple to get exactly what your home needs. We've covered over 25 million windows and have 50 ,000 five-star reviews to prove we deliver. Whether you DIY it or want a pro to handle everything from measure to install, we have you covered.
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From the publisher
This week on Olivia’s House, we’re doing something a little bit special.
In partnership with tombola and Breast Cancer Now, we’re bringing you a live recording with an incredible audience for a conversation all about friendship, resilience and the importance of looking out for one another.
Joining us is pop royalty herself, Nadine Coyle. From the early days of Girls Aloud and the chaos behind the scenes, to life on tour, iconic memories and the stories fans have never heard before, Nadine reflects on one of the biggest pop groups of a generation.
She also opens up about her beautiful friendship with Sarah Harding, sharing the laughter, love and memories they created together, and how their bond continues to inspire her today.
We’re also joined by Breast Cancer Now CEO Claire Rowney, who answers audience questions and discusses the incredible work the charity is doing to support those affected by breast cancer, while highlighting why having important conversations with the people we love can make all the difference.
This episode is full of warmth, laughter and emotion, but above all, it’s a reminder to check in with your friends and encourage each other to check your breasts. Sometimes, one conversation really can save a life.
Link to tombola: https://www.tombola.co.uk/breast-cancer-now
Podcast Description:
Welcome to Olivia's House - Olivia Attwood’s stylish, intimate podcast blends sharp humour with unfiltered, heartfelt conversation. From New York to London, Olivia invites bold guests to explore love, fame, family, and everything in between- no topic is off-limits. Expect scandalous stories, laugh-out-loud chaos, and the honest, messy moments that make us human. So… are you coming in?
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