Coleen Nolan’s marriage is "in crisis".
The ‘Loose Women’ presenter has admitted she and musician husband Ray Fensome, 58, are battling to save their 17-year relationship and while they will spend Christmas together, they may then opt for a trial separation as they try to figure out what the future holds
She said: "My marriage is in crisis and I won’t lie about it.
"We’re going to do a lot of talking over the next couple of weeks, but if we can’t fix it then I want us to have counselling. The next step is a trial separation."
The 51-year-old star insists the possibility of separating doesn’t mean they have failed, as it is important they reassess their relationship and see whether they want to save their eight-year marriage.
She added to the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "But I don’t see that as a failure. It’s important to know what it would be like not to have each other in our lives and it’s a chance to reflect.
"It would be more of a failure if we just ignored it and carried on."
Coleen – who has sons Shane Jr, 28 and Jake, 24, from her marriage to Shane Richie, and daughter Ciara, 15, with Ray – admitted she and her spouse had faced problems two years ago, but worked through their difficulties, and have found it harder to do that this time around.
She said: "Things have changed massively for us this year.
"The kids are older and need us less and Ray’s job has taken him away more. But instead of evolving with those changes, our relationship has just hit a wall and it’s only when you’re thrown together again you realise the connection you once had is gone."
The ‘I’m In the Mood for Dancing’ singer struggled with her self-confidence after she turned 50, and was devastated when Ray told her he didn’t "fancy" her anymore six months ago, but insists she won’t change her appearance to please him.
She said: "I suddenly felt invisible as a woman and was looking for reassurance from Ray. Six months ago I said to him, ‘I don’t feel like you fancy me any more’ and I told him he had to answer me honestly.
"I was totally devastated when he said, ‘The thing is, men are visual’. He meant that when he looks at me, he doesn’t fancy me.
"It was very tough to hear, but I’d asked him for the truth and sometimes the truth bloody hurts! He went through a period – perhaps still is – where that physical attraction just wasn’t there for him.
"From my side of things, I hate it when he’s had a drink – he’s the least fanciable man on the planet in my opinion and I told him that.
"But I’m not going to live off carrots to get down to a size six just to please Ray. Deep down I’m happy with who I am."
After struggling to get Ray to open up about his true feelings, Coleen was grateful to make a breakthrough with him earlier this month and felt a "huge relief" when he reassured her he still wanted to be with her.
She said: "I asked if he was still in love with me and instantly he said ‘yes’. And then I asked if he still wanted to be married or call it quits. He said he couldn’t think of anything worse than ending it. It was a huge relief.
"Until that point I wasn’t sure Ray still loved me – he’s not the kind of man that says it – so it was a massive breakthrough."
Coleen Nolan’s marriage crisis
