HAVING watched captivating musical Blood Brothers a staggering 18 times, it is fair to say Maureen Nolan was a fan.

But little did the I'm In the Mood for Dancing singer know, she would follow in the footsteps of three of her sisters to star in the show.

Now the actress, who found fame in the 1970s, singing with her sisters as girl group The Nolans, will reprise the role of Mrs Johnstone at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Willy Russell's moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks only to meet again with fateful consequences, is being staged from Monday, March 2, to Saturday, March 14.

She said: "I started in 2005, 10 years this year, including two years in the West End.

"I've been in and out of tours, I've done other things.

"I've done the last six tours.

"If anybody had told me when I was 50 I would be starring in the West End, I wouldn't have believed them.

"If they had said, you are still going to be doing it in 10 years, I definitely wouldn't.

"I love it.

"I'm a bit of a stalker. I remember seeing it so many times.

"I think I saw it 18 times and I wasn't even acting then.

"I remember being so affected by it.

"It's such a fantastic story.

"It's more like a play with music really. It's not a big tap-dancing musical.

"It's just a fantastic story by Willy Russell.

"My part, Mrs Johnstone, is feisty and funny and strong and I get to sing great songs."

Maureen is the fourth Nolan sister to play the part — after Bernie, Denise and Linda — and will be joined in the production by West End star and multi-platinum selling singer, Marti Pellow, who returns to the role of the Narrator.

Maureen said: "It's one of those plays, whoever you are, you can identify with some part of it.

"I think that's the secret of it.

"I think as well, because you feel like you have grown up with the boys.

"They are playing seven and 14-year-olds, the two guys are just brilliant."

While Maureen has plenty of kind words for her co-stars, there is one person who she is not particularly a fan of — former Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Katie Hopkins.

The 40-year-old newspaper columnist regularly makes her feelings known on a range of topics, from what people call their children to the weight of others in the public eye, and recently clashed with Maureen's sister Coleen on an episode of ITV's Loose Women.

The regular panellist confronted Katie over jibes she had made on Twitter about their sister Linda's appearance.

When asked how she feels when people make nasty comments about her family, Maureen said: "I would love to just say she isn't important in my life and she is a silly woman who is fame hungry and it doesn't affect me but of course it affects people and that's why she does it.

"It's pathetic and childish, schoolyard stuff and I don't know how she gets away with it."

Earlier this month, Katie came second on Channel Five reality show Big Brother, losing out to victor Katie Price, but beating fellow contestants Calum Best, Keith Chegwin and Michelle Visage.

Speaking of Katie's runner-up place, Maureen said: "I couldn't really believe it. I've always got great faith in the British public.

"She has got The Sun behind her, it's a massive paper."

Would Maureen ever be tempted to appear on the show, following on from Coleen who was a housemate in 2012 and Linda who starred in last year's series?

She said: "They offer you so much money, it's difficult to say no.

"A lot of them are doing it for a pay cheque.

"But I don't think they'd ever have me because I'm not confrontational. I'm very laid back."

Blood Brothers is at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, from March 2 to 14.