In a cruel blow, singers Anne and Linda Nolan were diagnosed with cancer just four days apart.
The sisters had recently finished filming a cruise show together in 2020 when the unwelcome news came that would lead to Linda’s tragic death today, aged 65.
Anne had already overcome cancer once back in 2000 when she had 14 lumps removed and underwent punishing months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A spokesman for Linda and Anne told the Mirror: “Linda’s incurable secondary cancer has spread from her hip to her liver, with Anne having a grade three breast tumour.
“They were both diagnosed following filming of their Quest Red show The Nolans Go Cruising and are now undergoing chemotherapy together. Linda and Anne would like to thank the public for all the love and support they’ve received.”
The family rallied round and the sisters underwent chemotherapy together at Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital. In April 2021 they wrote the book Stronger Together, explaining how they helped each other through, while Linda launched her own gin which she named after late husband Brian.
During an appearance on GMB, Linda spoke about losing her hair and said she now saw Bernie “looking back in the mirror”. Asked how their family had responded to their joint diagnoses, Linda explained: “It’s really difficult and I don’t think we could have done it without our family being so close.”
Linda added: “I had chemo in 2006 and I used cold cap, which they put this cap on and freeze it and it freezes the follicles of your hair. I managed to keep my hair a little bit the last time but this time they didn’t have a cold cap that fitted, oddly enough, so that’s why my hair fell out.
“I was traumatised by it. I feel vain saying that the worst thing is that I don’t have any hair but it has been traumatising for me.”
An extremely tough year was made even worse for the Nolans because they were unable to see each other.
When Coleen returned to Loose Women that August, she shared her heartbreak at not being able to visit Linda and Anne. “It’s really hard because I can’t go and see them,” she told her fellow panelists. “Because obviously they’re very high risk now.”
The rest of the family lived close to each other in Blackpool so were able to support the girls – with Maureen moving in with Anne and Linda living with Denise. Coleen added: “Your initial thing is I wanted to jump in the car and drive to Blackpool and just wrap my arms around them. But you can’t, and it’s heartbreaking.”
In August last year, Anne reached the end of her treatment and was able to ring the bell at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Speaking on BBC’s Morning Live in December last year, Anne explained that her cancer has “disappeared, basically”.
She added: “I’m still having treatment to go forward but it’s more or less gone, yeah. It’s amazing.” Heartbreakingly, Linda’s cancer spread and she went onto have chemotherapy tablets, five in the morning and five at night.
“I am scared, I won’t lie. I am so scared of dying,” she shared with new! magazine. “I look at my great-nieces and nephews and think how much I’d love to see them growing up. That’s hard.
“I want to be here when they have fabulous moments at school and their prom. Then other times I think to myself, ‘Well, you will be here, so shut up!’ I am really positive, but there are some days when I just give in.”
Linda died with her sisters at her side. Her final moments were said to have been full of “love and comfort”.
In a statement released to the Mirror, agent Dermot McNamara, says: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan, the celebrated Irish pop legend, television personality, Guinness World Record holding West End star, Sunday Times bestselling author and Daily Mirror columnist.”
The statement continued: “She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments. 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. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”
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