Singer and TV personality Linda Nolan has died aged 65 after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.
The Irish singer, who rose to fame at the age of 15 alongside her sisters in the group The Nolans, died on Wednesday morning, her family has confirmed.
In a statement released to the Mirror, agent Dermot McNamara said: ‘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.
‘She passed at around 10:20am. The family said the hospital couldn’t do enough, they were tireless and made it so much more bearable.’
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.’
The Nolans remain one of the best-selling girl groups of all time (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Linda was one of the members of the pop group The Nolans (Picture: Andre Csillag/REX/Shutterstock)
Tributes have come in for the star, with her death being announced on Loose Women, where Linda’s sister Coleen is a host.
Christine said in today’s episode, ‘It was an incredibly tough time for the family; you’re never prepared.’
Meanwhile, Coleen simply posted a broken heart emoji on X.
The Nolans’ official X account posted a photo of Linda with the caption: ‘It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved Linda Nolan. She faced incurable cancer with courage, grace & determination, inspiring millions. Surrounded by family, she passed peacefully. A pop icon and beacon of hope, Linda will never be forgotten.’
The Nolans were formed in Blackpool in 1974 by the sister’s parents, Maureen and Tommy Nolan, and was initially comprised of the parents, as well as seven of their eight children.
Their biggest hit was 1979’s I’m In The Mood For Dancing but they were also known for chart-toppers like Gotta Pull Myself Together, Who’s Gonna Rock You, Attention to Me, and Chemistry.
The sisters performed on national programs like Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies, and The Cliff Richard Show and remain one of the world’s biggest-selling girl groups.
Linda became an advocate for breast cancer funding and treatment following her diagnosis
(Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
The Nolans scored seven UK top 20 hits in total and built an enormous international following – particularly in Japan. They even toured with Frank Sinatra in the 70s.
Linda left the group in 1983 to pursue a solo career and found additional success in musical theatre.
In 1979, Linda met Brian Hudson and married him in 1981 despite their 13-year age gap. The pair remained married until Brian’s death in 2007.
Linda was left bereft by her husband’s passing, saying in 2018: ‘He was the love of my life… I lost hope of ever being happy again and started thinking, as people do when they reach a certain point in depression, it would be better for everybody if I wasn’t here and I would be doing them a favour.’
But a reunion for the 30th anniversary of The Nolan’s hit song would be a lifeline for Linda and a cause for reunion with her sisters – Anne, 74, Denise, 72, Maureen, 69, and Coleen, 59 – who were all reportedly by her side during her final moments.
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and, after six years of treatment, was told she was cancer-free in 2011.
But in 2017, tumours were found in her hip bone and pelvis, leading to another diagnosis of incurable secondary breast cancer. The same condition contributed to her sister Bernie’s death at age 52 in 2013.
Her sister Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020 just days after Linda was told her cancer had spread to her liver.
The sisters went through chemotherapy together and Anne eventually went into remission as Linda continued to receive palliative treatment for her terminal condition.
Linda also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
McNamara’s statement continued: ‘As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success, touring the world and selling over 30 million records, with hits such as Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention to Me and the iconic disco classic I’m In The Mood for Dancing.
‘Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.
‘Linda also dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Breast Cancer Ireland and Samaritans, amongst countless others. Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.’
Linda branched out from music following the end of The Nolans and wrote a column for The Mirror in recent years in which she often talked about her journey with breast cancer.
Her last column came out on Thursday and she seemed optimistic about her health, writing: ‘The doctors say it’s been a bad case of flu. I’d walk a few steps and struggle to catch my breath. My legs were even more wobbly than usual and, although I try not to, I thought of how Bernie was at the end. You think, “Oh my God, is this it?”
Linda was known for her distinctive vocals (Picture: Pete Still/Redferns)
‘It was only on Monday I felt well enough to venture out. It feels like a whole new world out there. There’s nothing like the sensation of starting to feel better after an illness. You’ve forgotten what it feels like to feel normal (well, I say normal?).’
She concluded: ‘I’m no fan of resolutions but here’s one: It’ll take more than flu to finish me off.’
In another column, Linda had frankly explored the concept of her approaching death.
Linda wrote about an exchange with a nurse in an earlier column: ‘She asked me straight if I’m afraid. And I replied that yes, I am afraid of dying. And sad, too. And she said I could call her anytime, that they’re there to talk about anything.’
Linda also appeared on television many times over the years, including a stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 and an appearance on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip with Status Quo’s Francis Rossi.
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