Heartbroken Coleen Nolan previously showered her ‘absolute warrior’ sister Linda with praise saying she ‘treats chemo like going to Tesco’.
Linda Nolan died on Wednesday with her famous sisters by her side after a lengthy two decade battle with breast cancer.
The 65-year-old’s agent confirmed the singer’s death in a statement, which said she had passed away at 10.20am after being admitted to hospital with double pneumonia.
In her final hours Linda is understood to have surrounded by family, ‘love and comfort’.
In the months before her death, her younger sister Coleen had spoken of Linda’s ‘absolute warrior’ spirit as she continued her battle with cancer, which by that point had spread to her brain and liver.
Noting how Linda was often smiling when out and about in public, the Loose Woman did express concern that the night was a difficult time for her sister as she was ‘totally on her own’.
‘I think they’re the times when she has her cry and and she’s scared but the rest of the time she is an absolute warrior,’ Coleen told the Mirror in September.
The TV host explained that she was in complete ‘awe’ of her brave sister, adding: ‘She treats chemo like she’s going to Tesco.
Coleen Nolan previously showered her brave sister with praise saying she was ‘an absolute warrior’ and that Linda treated ‘cancer like going to Tesco’
Linda rose to fame in the 1970s alongside her sisters Maureen, Coleen and Bernie as a member of the girlband The Nolan Sisters
Linda (left, with Coleen) passed away from cancer after a lengthy two decade battler with cancer
‘It keeps coming back and battering her and she keeps on smiling and she still keeps getting out of bed and she bloody hates it.
The reemergence of the touching interview comes shortly after Linda’s death was announced by her agent on Wednesday.
A statement read: ‘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.
‘As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide; 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.
‘Beyond her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society 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.
‘Over the weekend, Linda was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and admitted with double pneumonia. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, she went into a coma and into end-of-life care, surrounded by her devoted family.
Linda Nolan died with her famous sisters by her side following a 20-year battle with breast cancer, (pictured in 2020)
The singer’s death was revealed in a statement released by her agent who revealed she had been diagnosed with double pneumonia(Linda pictured in 1984)
‘At around 10:20am on Wednesday 15th January, she passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments, aged 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 ask for privacy at this difficult time, while they and Linda’s friends grieve the loss of an extraordinary woman. Details of a celebration of Linda’s remarkable life will be shared in due course.
‘Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.’
Following the news of Linda’s death, both sisters Coleen and Anne paid tribute by re-sharing the statement announcing her passing on X.
Coleen posted a broken-hearted emoji, while Anne shared three hearts on her account.
Coleen later took to Instagram and shared a tribute to her late sister, writing: ‘I am utterly devastated by the passing of my sister, Linda.
‘Linda was a beacon of love, kindness and strength. Her wit, humour and laughter were infectious, her presence could light up any room.
Linda was born as the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan on February 23 1959 in Dublin
Her parents’ relentless efforts to launch her daughters’ careers, which often led to late-night performances on school nights, soon steered the girls to international success
With her new solo career came a new moniker – Naughty Nolan – earned after she posed for a naked photoshoot in which she was covered by just a sheet
‘Linda had a heart full of compassion and always knew how to bring comfort and joy to those around her.
‘Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched, and while we wil miss her more than words can express, we take solace in the love and warmth she shared with all of us.
‘Rest in peace, Linda. You will forever be in our hearts. Love you, Coleen xxx (Colette).’
Elsewhere nephew Shane Nolan paid tribute to his ‘beautiful aunty’.
He posted: ‘My beautiful Aunty Linda. [I] got to spend a few hours with her yesterday, which I’m very grateful for.’
Coleen’s Loose Women co-stars Christine Lampard, Kelly Brook, Myleene Klass, and Nadia Sawalha paid an emotional on-air tribute to Linda, who was a regular panellist on the show, shortly after her death was announced.
Claire Rowney, CEO of Breast Cancer Now where Linda served as an ambassador, said in a statement: ‘We’re absolutely devastated to hear of the death of our long-standing ambassador Linda Nolan.
‘All of Linda’s family and friends are in our thoughts, and we want to extend our love to them at this incredibly sad time.
Linda left the group which made her famous in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances (Linda is pictured top with her sisters in 1975)
The Nolan sisters are pictured with their mother and father, Maureen and Tommy Nolan, in 1982
The Nolan Sisters left to right: Maureen, Linda, Coleen and Bernie pose with their two brothers Tommy and Brian
Over the following years, she became a fixture of the stage scene, most notably owning the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years in London’s theatreland from 2000
‘In her many years as our ambassador, Linda has been a fierce and unwavering supporter of our work, both through fundraising and as a staunch advocate for raising awareness of and championing the needs of people living with secondary breast cancer.
‘In the last few months of her life, Linda rallied alongside us as we petitioned for life-extending drug Enhertu to be made available on the NHS for patients with HER2-low secondary breast cancer*. We are eternally grateful to Linda for using her voice to campaign with us.
‘For anyone looking for support or information on breast cancer, our expert nurses are available on our free and confidential helpline – 0808 800 6000.’
In the week before her death, Linda had told the Mirror she was beginning to feel a bit better after coming down with the flu over the Christmas period.
She described the illness as ‘a bad case of flu’ and recalled struggling to catch her breath and ‘feeling wobbly’ on her feet.
Linda’s family insisted she go to hospital for checks on New Year’s Eve – but she did speak of hope for the future, insisting she was starting to feel better.
Linda married Brian Hudson, who was The Nolans’ tour manager, in 1981, two years after they first met, and he died in 2007
In 2021, Linda shared that one of her biggest regrets was that she and Brian never started a family, telling RSVP Magazine: ‘That is nobody’s fault but my own’
Just last week, Linda told The Mirror that she had begun to feel better, after falling ill over Christmas with what she thought was a bout of flu
In what would be her final column for the Mirror, she wrote: ‘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?’
‘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?).’
In an especially poignant final line, she added: ‘I’m no fan of resolutions but here’s one: It’ll take more than flu to finish me off.’
Linda also described not being able to eat anything over Christmas, before she did finally enjoy indulging a surprise craving on New Year’s Eve.
She told of tucking into chicken curry with pineapple after her sister Denise and Denise’s husband Tom were ordering a curry, with Linda saying: ‘Suddenly that’s what I fancied.
‘Pineapple in a curry. That was the foil container to finally tempt me out of my fast. My very own Chinese New Year.
‘I hadn’t eaten for 11 days – what a Christmas! A complete wipe out. Everyone’s been so worried. The girls have been bringing me energy drinks and that’s all I’ve been able to get down.’
In 2014, Linda was exposed to a new audience when she entered the world of reality television in the cast of Celebrity Big Brother
In July 2020, Linda and sisters Coleen, Maureen and Anne appeared in The Nolans Go Cruising, the first time the group had worked and performed together in decades
The Nolans are seen here performing in November 1981 – pictured left to right: Coleen, Maureen, Bernie and Linda
Speaking to The Mirror in December, she said she was grateful to make it to Christmas and to spend time with her sisters.
Linda admitted she was scared Christmas 2024 would be her last one and said her wish was to ‘keep breathing and see another one’.
She added that her hope for 2025 was ‘to not die, obviously,’ saying she wanted to ‘be here with my family’.
The singer said she also believed her 60th birthday would be her last, but had lived on for another five years and desperately wanted to keep living.
Coleen Nolan previously shared that she hoped Linda would be able to celebrate with her family next year as well before issuing a health update.
Linda had revealed she had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment once every three weeks as well as having her bloods taken.
She also explained that if her bloods were positive she would have to undergo another round of chemo.
In the face of her health struggles, Linda continued to be positive having battled cancer since 2005 – vowing to continue her fight as long as possible.
And in August, Linda issued an update that the tumours in her brain – which were thought to be stable – have grown
Linda was close with her sister and Loose Women panellist Coleen (pictured together in 2017)
She added: ‘If you lose hope, you lose everything. It’s hard sometimes, but you’ve gotta have the stamina to go, ‘Yeah, I’m not going to lie in bed feeling sorry for myself.”
Linda originally received the all-clear from breast cancer in 2006, but was later diagnosed with incurable secondary cancer in 2017.
And in August, Linda issued an update that the tumours in her brain – which were thought to be stable – had grown.
She also revealed the physical toll the ongoing treatment was taking on her smile, having lost a tooth.
During her life, Linda married Brian Hudson, who was The Nolans’ tour manager, in 1981, two years after first meeting.
After she left the group, Brian became Linda’s tour manager, and they stayed married until his death from liver failure in 2007.
She later wrote of the loss: ‘I hate my life without Brian. Some nights I wake up and reach out for him before I remember he’s not there. I know I can survive. But life is so much less without him.’
Four years ago, Linda admitted her one regret in life is that she and Brian never had children together.
‘My only regret in life is that I didn’t have children and that is nobody’s fault but my own,’ she told RSVP Magazine.
Linda (bottom left) was born as the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan on February 23 1959 in Dublin (pictured wiht her sisters in 1981)
Linda originally received the all-clear from breast cancer in 2006, but was later diagnosed with incurable secondary cancer in 2017
‘The reason I didn’t have children is because I let my career get in the way and I thought, ”No, I will wait”. But I don’t dwell on it, and I don’t cry whenever I see a baby.’
Linda’s sisters also have a history of cancer, with herself, Coleen and Anne all being diagnosed with the disease and Bernie passing away from cancer in 2013.
Linda’s sister Anne was the first to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, and while she got the all-clear, she was diagnosed again in April 2020.
In 2013 the family was left devastated when Linda’s sister Bernadette, better known as Bernie, died from breast cancer in 2013.
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. You can call them on 0808 808 0000.