Linda Nolan died embraced with love and comfort with her siblings at her side

Singer Linda Nolan died “peacefully” and “with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments”, her manager said.

The Irish star, 65, was part of the family group The Nolans, which also included her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne.

She died in hospital in Blackpool surrounded by family, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, given the all-clear in 2011, but in 2017 was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. In 2020, it spread and by 2023 was in her brain.

Her manager Dermot McNamara said it was “with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan”.

He added in a statement: “Over the weekend, Linda was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and admitted with double pneumonia.

“In the early hours of Tuesday morning, she went into a coma and into end-of-life care, surrounded by her devoted family.

“At around 10.20am on Wednesday, she passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments, aged 65.

“Linda’s legacy extends beyond her incredible achievements in music and entertainment. She was a beacon of hope and resilience, sharing her journey to raise awareness and inspire others.”

Nolan revealed she had started the cancer life-extending drug, called Enhertu, in August 2024, which she called “amazing”, and pushed for other people to have this “opportunity” to take the medication.

Her sister Anne, whom she joined on the TV series The Nolans Go Cruising, was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in 2020 and is now cancer-free.

Another sister, Loose Women star Coleen, revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year and was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.

Their sister Bernie died of breast cancer in 2013 aged 52.

Linda was born the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan on February 23 1959 in Dublin. Her parents – both singers – were keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe and Linda made her stage debut at the age of four.

They then toured with actor and singer Frank Sinatra and made their own BBC TV Specials.

She left the group – known for the songs as Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention to Me and I’m In The Mood for Dancing – which made her famous in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances.

In her solo career, she has toured with Gene Pitney and was celebrated for her West End shows.

Nolan, who competed on Celebrity Big Brother and was also a Daily Mirror columnist, had musical theatre appearances in shows such as Blood Brothers, Pump Boys And Dinettes and Prisoner Cell Block “H”.

Singer Shane Nolan said he was “very grateful” he could spend a few hours with his aunt before her death.

He wrote on X: “My beautiful Aunty Linda. Got to spend a few hours with her yesterday which I’m very grateful for.”

Her sister, Loose Women star Coleen, shared a broken heart emoji on X, while Anne shared three hearts, alongside an official announcement of Linda’s death.

A message on the official Loose Women Instagram page said: “We are saddened by the news Linda Nolan, Coleen’s sister, who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017, has died at the age of 65.”

It added: “We are sending all our love to Coleen and Linda’s family”.

Comedian and singer Tommy Cannon wrote on Instagram: “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan.

“I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”

Outside of her TV and musical career, Nolan helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, Samaritans and others.

Published: 15/01/2025 by Radio NewsHub