Linda Nolan passes away at 65 after cancer battle

Linda Nolan, pop star and TV personality, has passed away at 65 after battling secondary breast cancer.

Linda Nolan, the cherished TV personality and pop star, has passed away at the age of 65 after a long battle with secondary breast cancer.

The iconic Irish singer, known for her role in the successful girl group The Nolans, died peacefully this morning with her family by her side. Her passing comes just days after she wrote her final column for The Daily Mirror.

In a statement shared by her agent, Dermot McNamara, the family expressed deep sadness over her death, which occurred at 10:20 a.m. at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. McNamara praised the hospital staff for their tireless efforts and care, adding that Linda’s final hours were spent surrounded by her siblings, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort. The statement described Linda’s remarkable legacy, including her achievements as a pop legend, TV personality, Guinness World Record holder, bestselling author, and cancer awareness advocate.

Tributes poured in for Linda following the announcement of her passing. Her sister Coleen Nolan shared the statement with a heartbroken emoji on social media, while Loose Women host Christine Lampard paid an emotional tribute to Linda on air. Coleen’s grief was shared by fans and colleagues alike.

Linda’s journey with cancer began in 2005 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing treatment, she was given the all-clear in 2011. However, in 2017, Linda learned that the cancer had returned and spread, leading to the diagnosis of incurable secondary breast cancer. Despite the grim prognosis, Linda remained determined to raise awareness for the disease and offer support to others in similar situations.

In addition to her music career with The Nolans, who sold over 30 million records worldwide, Linda became a passionate advocate for cancer research. She worked tirelessly to raise over £20 million for charities like Breast Cancer Now and Breast Cancer Ireland. Linda also supported her sister Anne, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. The two went through chemotherapy together, and although Anne achieved remission, Linda’s cancer could only be managed, not cured.

Linda continued her advocacy work in 2023, leading campaigns to make new treatments accessible to secondary breast cancer patients. Her appearance on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip in 2023 with Status Quo’s Francis Rossi marked another notable moment in her career. Even as her health declined, Linda maintained an optimistic outlook, as seen in her final column, where she shared her experiences with illness and expressed hope for recovery.

Despite her declining health, Linda remained a beacon of hope and resilience to her fans, facing the challenges of cancer with courage and humor. Her family has assured well-wishers that they will be organizing a public memorial in her honor. Linda’s contributions to music, cancer awareness, and her community will forever leave a lasting impact.