Gateshead triplets Oscar, Isaac and Theo celebrate 21st birthday

They first hit the headlines when they were born and now they are celebrating a special milestone.

The Nolan brothers featured in the Chronicle back in 2003 when they were born and we have followed their journey ever since. The boys, Oscar, Isaac and Theo, became a North East busking and Facebook sensation as teenagers, and today they are celebrating their 21st birthday.

And, their parents, Adam and Celina, couldn't be more proud.

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Adam, 50, said: "It is great, what they are doing, they are all still in Newcastle and studying music at Newcastle College. When they started their musical journey at 14 they started busking and formed a band called Trilogy.

"The band they are in is called Spilt Milk and over the last four years they have managed to secure a lot of dates at festivals and venues. I think the fact they are three brothers, one plays keyboard, one plays guitar and one plays drums, and they all sing together as well so people like hearing them play together.

"From about 10 years old it was clear they were going to start playing together. It started as house parties and gigs for families and friends. It took off for them when they started busking on Northumberland Street or the Quayside.

"They did look a lot like each other when they were 14 or 15 to see three boys singing in harmony as they grew older they grew together musically."

Now the boys are part of four piece band, Spilt Milk, and are looking forward to a busy summer with a number of gigs booked in. Adam said they hope to pursue a career in music in the future.

He said: "Music is what they are hoping to do something in. Having so many gigs lined up over the next few months, they are really building up a bit of momentum. It is a good time for them to turn 21."

This weekend Adam and Celina, who also have an older son, Emil, 24, have organised a party for the boys.

Adam said: "We are throwing a party this weekend at home, a bit of a Eurovision themed party. So there will be lots of music this weekend."

Looking back at the last 21 years, Adam said: "I think as they have got older they have developed their own personalities. They did different things when they were young Isaac rugby, Theo played football and Oscar sang at the Durham Choristers for a little while.

"Weekends were always really busy and we were going to three different locations generally and all at the same time, so we were running around. We found we were being pulled from pillar to post as they didn't have the same interests but as they got older they always liked music.

"When they were really little it was quite difficult to get them out. When they were in a triple pushchair a trip to the Metrocentre could take two or three times longer because people could see the triple pushchair and people would stop us in our tracks.

"We were really fortunate we had both sets of grandparents who helped us a lot. If we went anywhere it took extra planning. The first year or two are a bit of a blur so when we look back and you think 'I can't remember we did that'."