Tragically fearing that Christmas 2024 would be her last, Linda Nolan wished to “keep breathing and see another one.”
The Nolans star, who shot to fame alongside her sisters more than 50 years ago, has died aged 65 following a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer – 20 years after her initial diagnosis. The singer was first told she had breast cancer in 2005 and went into remission a year later.
But in 2017, she devastatingly announced she had been diagnosed with a secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020. Three years later, the cancer had spread to her brain.
The Daily Mirror Columnist passed away with her sisters at her side on Wednesday. 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.”
Just weeks before her death, Linda was looking forward to the festive period, where she had planned to celebrate alongside 20 family members. But she was devastatingly struck down with a “mystery illness” as she continued to live with the incurable disease.
She became so ill she worried she was close to death, reflecting on how it came to an end for her beloved sister Bernie, who died from breast cancer in July 2013. The adored singer revealed she hadn’t eaten for 11 days over the holiday – a worrying symptom at a time when most indulge to their limit.
“A complete wipe out. Everyone’s been so worried,” she penned in her The Mirror column on January 8. “The girls have been bringing me energy drinks and that’s all I’ve been able to get down.” She went on to explain that her doctors said it had been a bad case of flu.
“I became so weak I’d walk a few steps and struggle to catch my breath. My legs were even more wobbly than usual and of course although I try not to, I immediately thought of how Bernie was at the end. You think, Oh my God, is this it?”
On New Year’s Eve, Linda was checked out at the hospital, where she was given steroids on top of antibiotics. “They sent me back home to rest and she [Denise] was then reassured enough to go to Coleen’s New Year’s party as my friend Sue and her husband Graham came round to stay. I was asleep by 10.10pm – but that was pretty good going!
“I missed out on pizzas and babies – our new great nephews, Coleen’s son Jake’s boy and our brother Tommy’s new grandson. But for the first time in my life I wasn’t in the mood for cuddles.”
Although the star, from Dublin, had days where she felt “terribly down,” for the most part, she was determined to look onwards and upwards, planning days out with her sisters, including Loose Women star Coleen. However medical emergencies became commonplace as she dealt with the harsh diagnosis of secondary breast cancer.
In December 2024, she suffered yet another fall, with her telling the Mirror at the time: “My legs just gave way from under me.” After one fall left her looking like she’d done “five rounds with Michael Tyson”, her sister Denise and her husband Tom Anderson insisted she move in with them.
The support from her siblings, including brothers Tommy and Brian, had been invaluable to Linda, who lost her husband Brian to liver cancer in 2007. Coleen and Anne Nolan also received cancer diagnoses.
Coleen revealed she had skin cancer removed while Anne, 73, first had cancer in 2000. Two decades later, she announced she had stage three breast cancer. Following a course of chemotherapy, she was cancer-free by the Decemeber.
The Nolans sold 30 million records with hits such as Attention To Me, Gotta Pull Myself Together and I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Whatever people living with cancer need to ask about cancer, work, money or life. The big things and the small stuff. Macmillan is at the end of the phone and online to provide support. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk and ask anything.
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