Linda Nolan: 'I've gone platinum blonde to show cancer who's boss!'

28 September 2023 , 11:21

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Linda Nolan is taking control of her future by going bright blonde

A disclaimer first: I probably shouldn't have done it, so don't go copying. (Although no one has actually told me that yet? cue messages.)

A few hours before my chemo on Monday, I popped to the hairdresser - and went platinum! Last week I was umming and aahing about it but over the weekend the Devil got in me.

My hair growing back after radiotherapy has been a happy surprise but I haven't enjoyed suddenly becoming the grey Nolan. Nor the unexpected dark tuft at the back, which has been looking increasingly like a tail.

Any longer and my sisters would no doubt have been grabbing it to get my attention, or to lead me across the road. So first thing Monday, I jumped in the car with Anne and popped to the salon - and I'm absolutely delighted.

Linda Nolan has taken the plunge and gone platinum blonde. Pictured behind the scenes at the Pink Ribbon Foundation photoshoot

You know what it is? Control. Any of that you can grasp when you have cancer is a positive thing. I was traumatised when I lost my hair again. So much of your body can change when you have this and to have no say over your appearance is a horrible feeling. You already feel you've lost control of your future.

Tennis great Martina Navratilova diagnosed with throat and breast cancer

My white-blonde fluff might seem a small thing - so small in fact, not a single nurse noticed when I crept into the chemotherapy ward sheepishly later, expecting to be told off. But to me, it's transformative. And it's fun.

I was absolutely devastated to read young Strictly dancer Amy Dowden had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this summer but last week she posted a video of her own stab at control: shaving off her hair, like I did, before her chemo made it all drop out.

Incredible Amy Dowden from Strictly has shaved her head after beginning her cancer treatment (Instagram)

She was so emotional and it is such a hard thing to do. People say, "You look great" and, "You've got the face shape for it". Honestly, though? Hair looks better.

But to take that action, not to wait to wake up to a tuft of hair on the pillow, is liberating. You wipe out that step of looking like a sick person losing their hair.

At risk of sounding like everyone else, Amy is gorgeous with or without hair, and she will get through this. But doing it on her own terms is what matters most.

Read more of Linda's journey with cancer:

Linda Nolan