Singer Linda Nolan, a member of pop group the Nolans, has died at the age of 65, two decades after she was first diagnosed with cancer.
Her agent Dermot McNamara announced her death “with profound sadness” in a statement on Wednesday, adding Nolan was “surrounded by her devoted family”.
Nolan found fame in the 1970s alongside sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, and they scored hits including the 1980 disco classic I’m In The Mood for Dancing.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and given the all clear in 2011, but in 2017 was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. It spread and by 2023 was in her brain.
The group became the first Irish act to sell more than a million records worldwide, and went on to sell 30 million records in total.
Their other hits included Gotta Pull Myself Together and Attention to Me.
Nolan left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances.
Loving siblings by her side
McNamara said in a statement: “Over the weekend Linda was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and duly admitted with double pneumonia. Tuesday morning, she became comatose and was placed in end-of-life care, attended lovingly by her devoted family.
“At around 10. 20am on Wednesday January 15, aged 65, surrounded by her loving siblings at her bedside so that she was wrapped in love and comfort in her final moments.
“The family said the hospital did everything they could, they were tireless and made it so much more bearable.
“Linda’s legacy goes further than her amazing accomplishments in music and entertainment. With much love, she wrote about her journey in an effort to spread awareness and be a source of inspiration. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be immensely missed, but never forgotten.”
Christine Lampard, who presents Loose Women, announced Nolan’s death on Wednesday’s episode, referring to it as “very sad news”.
Another panellist Nadia Sawalha said it was an “awful shock” and said the show’s team was ”sending our love”.
Nolan has appeared on the show several times, and sister Coleen is a regular panellist.
Linda also starred in a West End run of Blood Brothers, became a Daily Mirror columnist and penned a best-selling memoir.
She has raised more than £20m for charities such as Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans.
Nolan’s sister Anne, who she starred alongside on telly series The Nolans Go Cruising, also suffered from breast cancer for the second time in 2020 but is now cancer-free.
Another sibling, Coleen, announced that she had been diagnosed with skin cancer last year and was applying a chemotherapy cream to erase it.
Their sister Bernie died aged 52 of breast cancer in 2013.
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