Nicole Appleton

Early life and family

Nicole Appleton was born in Hamilton, Ontario, to parents Mary Callaghan and Kenneth Appleton. She is the youngest of four daughters, with older sisters Lori, Lee, and Natalie. Her childhood was marked by transatlantic moves, as the family lived in Toronto, New York City, and London. This international upbringing provided a diverse cultural background that would later inform her career in the global music industry. The close bond with her sister Natalie became a central professional partnership, forming the foundation for their future musical collaborations.

Breakthrough with All Saints (1996 to 2001)

Nicole and her sister Natalie joined the existing duo of Melanie Blatt and Shaznay Lewis to form All Saints in 1996. The group's debut single, "I Know Where It's At," reached number four on the UK Singles Chart in 1997. Their international breakthrough came with the ballad "Never Ever" later that year, which topped the UK and Australian charts and sold over 1.2 million copies in Britain. The group's self-titled debut album, released in November 1997, was certified five-times platinum in the UK and also achieved platinum status in the United States.

All Saints solidified their success with a string of further number-one singles, including the double A-side "Under the Bridge / Lady Marmalade" and "Bootie Call." In 2000, they released "Pure Shores" for the film The Beach, which became the second best-selling single of the year in the UK. This was followed by another chart-topper, "Black Coffee." Their second studio album, Saints & Sinners, debuted at number one in 2000. The group announced a hiatus in early 2001, releasing a greatest hits compilation later that year. During this period, Nicole and Natalie also made a film appearance in Honest in 2000.

The Appleton duo and solo projects

In September 2002, Nicole and Natalie Appleton launched their pop duo, Appleton. Their debut single, "Fantasy," reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. They released an autobiography titled Together in October 2002. The duo's 2003 album, Everything's Eventual, was certified gold in the UK within two months of its release, supported by singles "Don't Worry" and "Everything Eventually." Due to creative differences, the sisters moved from Polydor to Concept Music in late 2004. Parallel to her music career, Nicole Appleton began working in television, hosting the show The Hot Desk from 2007 to 2010.

In 2011, she became the host of the Canadian reality singing competition Cover Me Canada, which debuted on CBC Television. From 2007 to 2010, she had been a host of the TV show The Hot Desk. This work established her as a television presenter alongside her singing career. Her role on Cover Me Canada leveraged her experience in the music industry for a primetime Canadian audience.

All Saints reunions and later music

All Saints reformed in 2006, signing with Parlophone and releasing their third studio album, Studio 1, that November. The lead single "Rock Steady" reached number three in the UK. The group supported the Backstreet Boys on a UK and Ireland tour in 2014. In 2016, they released their fourth studio album, Red Flag, preceded by the single "One Strike." The group has continued to perform and record intermittently since then, maintaining a presence in the pop music landscape.

In 2026, Nicole and Natalie Appleton revived their duo project, releasing the single "Falling Into You," their first new music as Appleton in 23 years. They also released a new EP titled Side By Side. The sisters revealed that their children inspired them to return to the studio for this new chapter in their career. They have performed their classic hits with orchestras, such as for BBC Radio 2, demonstrating the enduring appeal of their music.

Personal life

Nicole Appleton was engaged to singer Robbie Williams after meeting him in 1997. Their relationship ended in January 1999. In her autobiography, she revealed she terminated a pregnancy during that relationship under pressure from her record company. In 2000, she began a relationship with Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher. Their son, Gene, was born on 2 July 2001, and Gallagher wrote the song "Songbird" for her. The couple married in London on 14 February 2008 but divorced in April 2014 after media reports that Gallagher was expecting a child with another woman.

In March 2020, Appleton announced the birth of a daughter with her boyfriend, Stephen Haines. She has spoken about the experience of having children decades apart, noting she felt she and her eldest son grew up together, while with her younger daughter, born when Appleton was 44, she felt more traditionally maternal. She and Haines married in October 2021. Appleton kept her pregnancy with her daughter a secret from even her closest friends, a story she shared on a podcast in 2026.

Public profile and media

Nicole Appleton maintains an active public profile through social media and podcast appearances. In February 2026, she was a guest on Sophie Ellis-Bextor's podcast Spinning Plates, where she discussed motherhood and her career. She has also performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra, singing All Saints hits like "Black Coffee" for BBC Radio 2. Her enduring popularity is tied to the nostalgic appeal of All Saints' music and the continued interest in her partnership with her sister Natalie. As of 2026, the Appleton sisters are actively promoting their new music, engaging with a fan base that spans their decades-long career.

Questions about Nicole Appleton

How many children does Nicole Appleton have?

Nicole Appleton has two children. Her first child is a son named Gene, born in July 2001 from her relationship with Liam Gallagher. Her second child is a daughter, born in March 2020 with her partner Stephen Haines. As of 2026, her son is 24 and her daughter is nearly 6 years old.

Was Nicole Appleton married to Liam Gallagher?

Yes, Nicole Appleton was married to Liam Gallagher. The couple married at Marylebone Town Hall in London on 14 February 2008. They had been in a relationship since 2000 and have a son together. The marriage ended in divorce in April 2014 after reports emerged that Gallagher was expecting a child with another woman.

What is Nicole Appleton best known for?

Nicole Appleton is best known as a member of the British girl group All Saints and the pop duo Appleton with her elder sister Natalie. As part of All Saints, she contributed to multiple UK number one singles and albums. With her sister, she later formed the duo Appleton, releasing music including the 2003 album 'Everything's Eventual'. Professionally, she is identified as a Canadian singer and television presenter. Her career has spanned music with both groups and hosting roles on Canadian television programs.

Is Nicole Appleton still making music?

Yes, Nicole Appleton is still actively making music. She and her sister Natalie have recently released new music as the duo Appleton, including a new single titled 'Falling Into You'. This marks their return as Appleton after 23 years. Furthermore, the group All Saints, of which she is a founding member, has periodically reformed for performances and new releases. The group released their fourth studio album, 'Red Flag', in 2016, preceded by the single 'One Strike'. They also supported the Backstreet Boys on tour dates in 2014. Her ongoing musical activity demonstrates a continued commitment to her singing career alongside her television work.

What Canadian TV shows has Nicole Appleton hosted?

Nicole Appleton has hosted two notable Canadian television shows. From 2007 to 2010, she was a host of the TV show 'The Hot Desk'. Subsequently, she became the host of 'Cover Me Canada', a Canadian reality singing competition that debuted on CBC Television in 2011. These hosting roles established her presence in Canadian television following her music career. Her work on these programs highlights her versatility as a presenter. The shows provided a platform for her in the broadcasting industry separate from her musical performances with All Saints and Appleton.

Where was Nicole Appleton born and raised?

Nicole Appleton was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on 7 December 1974. She is the youngest of four daughters in her family. During her childhood and while growing up, she lived in several major cities. These included Toronto, Ontario, in Canada, as well as New York City in the United States, and London in the United Kingdom. This multinational upbringing across Canada, the US, and the UK contributed to her later career in the British music industry. Her early life moving between these cities is a noted part of her personal background.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.