Friends and relatives have paid tribute to Linda Nolan following her death from breast cancer on Wednesday.
Linda died at the age of 65 in hospital with her famous sisters by her side after contracting double pneumonia during a two-decade battle with breast cancer, her agent Dermot McNamara confirmed.
Shortly after her death was announced, they wrote on their official X account: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the beloved Linda Nolan. She faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination and inspired millions.
‘She passed away peacefully surrounded by family. As a pop icon and beacon of hope, Linda will never be forgotten.’
Her sister and ‘Loose Women’ panelist Coleen Nolan reposted the statement with a broken heart emoji.
Elsewhere, cousin Shane Nolan paid tribute to his ‘beautiful aunt’.
Friends and relatives have paid tribute to Linda Nolan following her death from breast cancer on Wednesday (Linda’s sister Coleen pictured in 2023)
Linda died at the age of 65 in hospital with her famous sisters by her side after contracting double pneumonia during a two-decade battle with breast cancer, her agent Dermot McNamara confirmed.
He wrote: ‘My beautiful Aunt Linda. [I] I was able to spend a few hours with her yesterday, which I am very grateful for.’
Coleen’s Loose Women co-stars Christine Lampard, Kelly Brook, Myleene Klass and Nadia Sawalha paid an emotional tribute to Linda, who was a regular panelist on the show, shortly after her death was announced.
Sharing their fond memories, Nadia said: “Nothing prepares, because there is a moment when the lights go out, and when the lights go out, it is the most terrible shock.
“They have been through so much as a family and sent all our love.”
Christine added: “Sending love to Coleen, Linda’s family, all the family. We are thinking of you all today.”
Following her death on Wednesday, Dermot wrote: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan, the celebrated Irish pop legend, television personality, Guinness World Record holder of West End star, Sunday Times bestselling author and Daily columnist Mirror.
‘As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved worldwide success; becoming the first Irish act to sell more than a million records worldwide; tours the world and sells more than 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 and secured her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.
Taking to their official X account, shortly after her death was announced, the Nolan sisters wrote an emotional tribute
Coleen’s Loose Women co-stars Christine Lampard, Kelly Brook, Myleene Klass and Nadia Sawalha paid an emotional tribute to Linda shortly after her death was announced
Sharing their fond memories, Nadia said: “Nothing prepares, because there is a moment when the lights go out, and when the lights go out, it is the most terrible shock. They have been through so much as a family and sent all our love
Christine added: “Sending love to Coleen, Linda’s family, all the family. We are thinking of you all today’
Linda was a regular panellist on Loose Women alongside her sister Coleen, who regularly presents the show (pictured together in 2016)
‘Alongside her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans, among countless others.
“Her selflessness and tireless dedication to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.
‘This weekend Linda was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and admitted with double pneumonia. Early Tuesday morning, she fell into a coma and was admitted to end-of-life care, surrounded by her devoted family.
‘Around 10.20am on Wednesday, January 15, she passed away peacefully, with her loving siblings at her bedside, embracing her with love and comfort in her final moments, at the age of 65.
“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.
“Her family kindly requests privacy during this difficult time as she and Linda’s friends mourn the loss of a special woman. Details of a celebration of Linda’s remarkable life will be shared in due course.
‘Rest in peace, Linda. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.”
The singer’s death was revealed in a statement from her agent Dermot McNamara, who revealed she had died on Wednesday morning after a battle with pneumonia.
Linda rose to fame with her sisters as a member of the girl band The Nolan Sisters and their 1979 hit I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Last week, Linda told The Mirror that she was starting to feel better after falling ill over Christmas and thinking it was a bout of flu.
In what would be the publication’s last column, she wrote: ‘The doctors say it was a serious case of flu. I walked a few steps and struggled to catch my breath.
‘My legs wobbled even more than usual and even though I didn’t, I thought about Bernie’s final state. You think, ‘Oh my God, is this it?’
“It wasn’t until Monday that I felt well enough to go out. It feels like a whole new world out there. There’s nothing like the feeling of starting to feel better after an illness.
“You’ve forgotten what it feels like to feel normal (well, I say normal?).” In what will prove to be a poignant final sentence, she added: “I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but here’s one: the ‘It’s going to take more than a flu to finish me off.’
Linda rose to fame in the 1970s with her sisters Maureen, Coleen and Bernie as members of the girl band The Nolan Sisters
After the success of their hit I’m In The Mood For Dancing in 1979, the band went on tour around the world
In November, she admitted that she “never expected to make it to Christmas,” which made the holidays mean all the more to her.
She said: ‘I can’t wait [for Christmas]. Not to be morbid, but I didn’t think I’d make it to Christmas, so it’s a real bonus.
“We love Christmas as a family and we all attend [sister] Denise’s. It’ll be great. We all have so much fun when we get together, so I can’t wait. I especially enjoy seeing all the little ones and how excited they get.’
The sister of Loose Women panelist Coleen Nolan added that she hoped to be here next year to celebrate with her family before issuing a health update.
Linda told the publication that she underwent chemotherapy once every three weeks in addition to blood draws and that if the results were positive, she would undergo another round of treatment.
She added: ‘You have to be careful with chemo. I’ve lost my hair again, I’m bald for the fifth time and it keeps happening to me every time.
‘I’m desperate when the time comes. I get painful cramps in my leg, which really hurts, but other than that there is no pain, and that’s a good thing.’
Despite her health problems, Linda remained positive and told the magazine that she has been battling cancer since 2005 and vowed to keep fighting for as long as she could.
She described how, on her 60th birthday, she hoped to make it the following year and, against all odds, managed to make it to 65.
She added: “When you lose hope, you lose everything. It’s hard sometimes, but you have to have the stamina to say, “Yes, I’m not going to lie in bed feeling sorry for myself.”
Linda added that she keeps her spirits up by making sure she stays busy and gets outside as often as possible.
She said she would even sit outside in her yard in the freezing cold because the fresh air makes her feel better.
Staying busy is important, just like getting outside. Even if you’re sitting outside in your garden in this cold weather, you always feel better just getting some fresh air.”
Linda also previously said that a recent fall made her realize that she could no longer live independently and moved in with her sister.
She said she had to accept that she could not return to her home and despite only moving in with Denise and Tom temporarily, she has now been living with them for 18 months.
Linda’s update comes after she begged cancer to leave her family alone in an interview with Good Morning Britain in August.
Linda fought back tears as she shared her plea as she prepared to undergo treatment for the fifth time.
Linda was originally given the all-clear for breast cancer in 2006, but was later diagnosed with an incurable secondary cancer in 2017.
And in August, Linda provided an update that the tumors in her brain – which were thought to be stable – had grown.
Linda revealed on GMB that she would be taking another course of chemotherapy as a result of the update – and shared the news that she could lose her hair again.
She also revealed the physical toll the ongoing treatment was taking on her smile, pointing to a gap in her teeth and exclaiming, “Look, I’ve lost a tooth!”
Linda married The Nolans’ tour manager Brian Hudson in 1981, two years after they first met.
After she left the group, Brian became Linda’s tour manager, and they remained married until his death from liver failure in 2007.
Linda’s sisters also have a history of cancer, with herself, Colleen and Anne all diagnosed and Bernie dying from the disease in 2013.
Linda’s sister Anne was the first to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, and although she was completely clear, she was diagnosed again in April 2020.
Just days later, Linda was told that her secondary breast cancer had spread to her liver, so the sisters decided to undergo their chemotherapy together.