COLEEN Nolan has revealed how death threats forced her to take a break from Loose Women following her on-air spat with Kim Woodburn.
The 53-year-old panellist left the ITV show for three months last year after a blazing row with her ex-Celebrity Big Brother housemate sparked a campaign of abuse from online trolls.
Nolan, who has featured on the programme since 2000, was accused of "bullying" How Clean Is Your House star Kim, 76, and later took an "immediate hiatus" from the panel.
Reflecting on the bust-up – which was investigated by Ofcom after receiving thousands of complaints – the mum-of-three said "everything spiralled" in her life at the time.
The on-air row sparked thousands of complaints back in April 2018 (Image: ITV)She told The Mirror's 'Notebook' magazine: "I’d ploughed on with work and hadn’t faced up to my divorce.
"But when the death threats happened it was a catalyst and it all hit me. I needed to get a grip on my life".
The singer, whose sister Bernie died of breast cancer six years ago aged just 52, added: "You have to be made of steel to not be affected by hurtful comments.
"But when people were saying things like: 'I hope you die of cancer like your sister', it was time to stop."
The original argument in April 2018 saw Woodburn storm off the Loose Women set after calling Coleen a "con artist" and "lying trash".
She later claimed she had been tormented by Coleen and sister Linda Nolan on the talk-show, saying: "I was ambushed, it was disgusting.
Kim, 76, branded the Nolan sisters "trash" before storming off the stage (Image: ITV)"It was like a circus and I was there for some cruel entertainment. I want Coleen and her sister fired."
Coleen cited a "horrifying torrent of abuse" as the reason behind her taking a hiatus from the show in the wake of the row.
The spat also saw Coleen cancel plans for her first solo singing tour, which was later rescheduled.
In a statement back in April, she said: "Following the constant online bullying, trolling, and misrepresentation of her words, actions and re-actions, it is with sad regret that Coleen is taking an immediate hiatus from her current commitments including Loose Women and postponing her Never Too Late solo concert tour.
"Coleen is devastated to let her supporters and fans down, but is currently not strong to withstands this constant and unfounded online abuse, so she will be taking time out and spending it with her children and family where she feels loved and respected.
"She she sends her love to everyone who has supported her and knows who she really is and plans to return when she feels stronger."
