I sang the same song in Bucks Fizz for 43 years – I’d get less for murder, Mike Nolan says on retiring from iconic group
BUCKS Fizz star Mike Nolan has opened up about quitting the iconic group after taking to the stage for the last time.
Mike, Cheryl Baker, Bobby G, and Jay Aston shot to fame as Bucks Fizz in 1981 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with Making Your Mind Up.
As well as a catchy tune, the song stuck in people's memories after the unforgettable moment when Mike and Bobby ripped the girls' long skirts off to reveal much shorter ones underneath.
The song went to number one on the UK charts, and they went on to have two more chart-toppers, Land of Make Believe and My Camera Never Lies.
But now, 43 years later, Mike, who turned 70 yesterday, is calling it quits as he played his final gig with the group last month.
In an exclusive chat with The SunOnline, he revealed his reasons why.
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He said: "I've been with the band 43 years and I got to a stage where I thought, that's it - I have had enough.
"During lockdown time, the world stopped, and when we got back together, it just wasn't the same, so I stuck it out for another three and a half years.
"Earlier this year, I told the girls I'd had enough. They weren't happy about it, but I thought I'd served my time."
He then joked: "I've now done 43 long years of service. Some people would get less for murder.
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"My whole career with the group has been really good. I've loved it -but 43 years of doing the same song just took its toll."
Dublin-born Mike won Eurovision and said it remains the highlight of his career.
He said: "As a young boy, I watched it with my mam and when Sandie Shaw won it for the UK, I thought if she could do that, I could too.
"But my mam told me in her very Irish accent, 'What are you talking about, shut up and listen to the songs.' But that's where I got the idea from.
"When someone from Bucks Fizz rang me and asked me to come on board for Song For Europe, I was hesitant, as I'd just left another band.
"But she convinced me saying: 'It's just something for your CV as the song will never win'
"But then it did and we were off to Eurovision and then we won that and I never looked back."
Who's won Eurovision for Britain
Mikes thoughts on Eurovision
The UK had won Eurovision three times before Bucks Fizz though Sandie Shaw (1967), Lulu (1969) and Brotherhood of Man (1976), but have only won once since Mike and Bucks Fizz's big night, in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves, although Sam Ryder finished second to Ukraine in 2022.
Mike fears the days of the UK winning Eurovision could be over - and blames politics.
He said: "Everyone was convinced Sam Ryer was going to win it, but I really don't think we're ever going to again in my opinion.
He said: "When we won it, there were 25 countries, but now there are 40-odd, it's like they should call it the World Song Contest.
"Australia, why are they in it? They're not even part of Europe, but they do have some good songs.
"Even if you picked our biggest star over here to win, they would struggle. But I'll probably be astonished that we could have a winner next year."
Despite having sang their hits for over four decades, Mike still loves them.
He explained: "I have a special bond with Making Your Mind Up because it took our careers off, but I also love Land of Make Believe and Now Those Days are Gone.
"People say I'm the lead singer, but I always say we all did it as one and I don't want praise for it because it is a group song."
Life after 1981 was a heady mix of success and meeting celebrities like Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet, Duran, Duran, Belinda Carlisle, and Toyah on Top of the Pops.
OVERCOMING TRAGEDY
But then in 1984 tragedy struck, as the band members were involved in a horrific coach accident on the way home from a gig.
Mike admitted: "That was actually the ruination of the band, it was a horrible experience and I still have nightmares about it.
"The coach and a lorry hit each other, and Cheryl and I went with a windscreen, and I actually banged my head and I ended up with a clot on my brain, which I didn't know about, because I went into a coma.
"When I came round, I took a long, long time to get over it.
"I lost 50 per cent of my vision which has affected me on a daily basis, although I am thankful to be alive.
"Cheryl and I both have no recollection of what happened but one of our keyboard players was very seriously injured."
He continued: "It changes you forever and it took me 25 years to get myself to a place where I am fine and I don't need anyone to talk about it. Now I just want to get on with my life."
NEWFOUND FREEDOM
From 1997 to 2001, Mike was in a rival version of Bucks Fizz with David Van Day from Dollar before Mike, Cheryl and Jay began performing together again as The Fizz in 2004, as a spin-off from the original group.
But now, he is finishing for good - and apart from appearing in panto this month at The Institute in Braintree, from 14 to 31 December where he is playing Idle Jack in Dick Whittington, he couldn't be happier that his diary is clear from January.
"I am learning my lines for the panto which opens this weekend and it is going to be interesting. I am in that up until New Year and then from 1 January, there's nothing in my diary for the first time in 43 years, and it's incredible. I'm just so excited about it."
In the meantime, The Fizz will continue in a new form.
He said: "I met up with the band last week. They have two new members who will be working with Cheryl and Jay.
We've all got irritating ways, Who hasn't, but they irritated me more.
Mike Nolan
"I'm very, very good friends with Cheryl, I mean, I'm friends with Jay as well, but me and Cheryl are a lot closer. We went through a lot together and we know each other very well.
"I'll speak to Jay now and again, cause you can't work with somebody that long and not do that. They know me as well, and we've all got irritating ways. Who hasn't, but they irritated me more.
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"They start rehearsals in a couple of weeks. Their first gig will be on 16 January 2025, but I won't go and see them because they need to settle in.
"But I will turn up at one of their gigs without them even knowing it, and I'll go in late so I don't cause a fuss. We're still friends, and I am particularly close to Cheryl, we went through so much. I wish them all well."