Why the Name Change Mattered
During a live interview on Loose Women in early 2017, the 23‑year‑old singer‑songwriter behind the moniker Shane Richie Jr dropped a surprise that caught both fans and tabloids off guard. "I'm going to support my mum and change my name to Shane Nolan. She knows nothing about it. It's Nolan now," he said, gesturing to his mother, TV personality Coleen Nolan, who was then enduring the emotional roller‑coaster of Celebrity Big Brother.
For Shane, the decision was less about legal paperwork and more about a symbolic gesture. He described his mother as "like my best friend" and confessed that watching her break down on camera was harder than any backstage drama he’d faced. Coleen, known for her forthright demeanor, rarely lets her guard down in front of her children, making those rare tears all the more poignant.
Shane also recounted the handful of moments in his life when he’d seen his mum cry:
- During her 2009 appearance on Celebrity Big Brother after a back injury.
- When the family mourned the loss of a close relative.
- In private, after a particularly stressful tabloid headline.
Each episode reinforced his resolve to publicly stand by her, prompting the name change as a visible sign of solidarity.
Family Reactions and Public Response
When pressed about his famous father, veteran entertainer Shane Richie—who at the time was competing on I’m a Celebrity… Where Do We Find You—the son replied with confidence: "Shane Richie will be cool about it." The comment seemed to put any potential family tension to rest, and a later tweet clarified the scope of the change: "Guys can I just clarify that I've changed my stage name, that's all." This distinction reassured followers that no legal name alterations were underway, merely a rebrand for his music career.
The public reaction was a blend of admiration and curiosity. Fans praised the son’s loyalty, noting that the entertainment industry rarely sees such overt displays of familial support. Critics, however, wondered if the move was a calculated publicity stunt, given the concurrent media buzz surrounding both parents’ reality‑show appearances.
In the weeks that followed, Coleen’s emotional moments on the Big Brother house continued to draw attention, and Shane’s new stage name appeared on streaming platforms and concert flyers. While the name change was temporary—later reverting to his original moniker—the episode highlighted how personal bonds can intersect with professional branding in the celebrity world.