Linda Nolan and sister Denise candidly discuss search for long-lost secret sibling

Linda and Denise Nolan have opened up on their search for their long-lost secret sister while they await the results of a DNA test.

They discovered their dad Thomas Nolan fathered another child during an affair, who is believed to have been born around 1952 and would be the same age as Denise, 68.

Their hopes in finding their sister was also shown in their series At Home With The Nolans, with sister Maureen, 66, putting her DNA into a database.

Searching: Linda and Denise Nolan have opened up on their search for their long-lost secret sister while they await the results of a DNA test

The two sisters have since spoken more about their search during a candid chat with OK! Magazine, with Denise revealing she was ‘one of the reticent ones’ when it came to hunting for their half sibling.

She told the publication: ‘I thought I really don’t want to upset anybody and I thought her mother may never have told her. 

‘But if we do find her I’ll welcome her with open arms if everything turns out right, but at the time I thought I really don’t want to open up a can of worms.’

Opening up: The two sisters have since spoken more about their search during a candid chat with OK! Magazine, with Denise (pictured) revealing she was 'one of the reticent ones' when it came to hunting for their half sibling

Opening up: The two sisters have since spoken more about their search during a candid chat with OK! Magazine, with Denise (pictured) revealing she was ‘one of the reticent ones’ when it came to hunting for their half sibling

Family: Linda and Denise rose to fame as members of the singing group The Nolans alongside their sisters Maureen, Coleen, Anne, Amy, Julia and Bernie

Family: Linda and Denise rose to fame as members of the singing group The Nolans alongside their sisters Maureen, Coleen, Anne, Amy, Julia and Bernie

Linda, 61, revealed that it was their mother who told her and her siblings of the secret sister.

She added: ‘When our dad died our mum told us that we had a sibling and she thought it was a girl, and she was happy for us to try and find her.

‘She told us how it happened and that dad had a fling and this woman was pregnant the same time mum was pregnant and I’m one of the ones who is so excited.

DNA: Linda and Denise's sister Maureen, 66, has taken a DNA test, and is awaiting the results

DNA: Linda and Denise’s sister Maureen, 66, has taken a DNA test, and is awaiting the results 

‘It was Maureen who went further and she did the DNA test and so we might find something out.’

In December, both Linda and Denise came close to finding their secret sister during an episode of At Home With The Nolans, as their potential nephew contacts sister Coleen, 55, to tell her his mum wants to talk.

Maureen later rushes round to Coleen’s, with her brother Tommy, 70, revealing he had been told he was in the same room as his sister, but he brushed off these claims. 

Getting closer: In December, both Linda and Denise came close to finding their secret sister during an episode of At Home With The Nolans, as their potential nephew contacts sister Coleen, 55, to tell her his mum wants to talk

Getting closer: In December, both Linda and Denise came close to finding their secret sister during an episode of At Home With The Nolans, as their potential nephew contacts sister Coleen, 55, to tell her his mum wants to talk

‘That’s the first I’ve heard of that. It almost makes me sad, because if that was her we just ignored her all these years,’ Maureen explained.

‘I’ve been wishing and longing to find out sister for many years now, and to think that something as simple as spitting into a tube may help to find her, you know?’

When she gets to Coleen’s house, Maureen is told that a young man who believes his mother is their sister had gotten in touch with the Nolan family.

Discovery: When she gets to Coleen's house, Maureen is told that a young man who believes his mother is their sister had gotten in touch with the Nolan family.

Discovery: When she gets to Coleen’s house, Maureen is told that a young man who believes his mother is their sister had gotten in touch with the Nolan family.

The message he gave them said: ‘Her birth certificate has been defaced, but her father’s name on the birth certificate is Thomas Nolan. Mum has searched in vain for years for her biological father and mum’s even ordered a DNA test.’

Coleen also has the woman’s phone number and later calls her, with the woman sharing the moment she found out the man who she thought was her ‘dad’ was not her biological father.

She recalled: ‘I think I was probably maybe nine, 10. I remember it being a thing but it became more significant at the time when you need your birth certificates.’