The brave and inspirational Linda Nolan, who has passed away at the age of 65, spent her final days surrounded by her devoted siblings, who were at her bedside when she died.
Linda’s final moments were said to have been full of “love and comfort” after one last bustling Christmas with her beloved family, who kept a vigil by her side as she reached her final hours. Linda had lived with cancer for many years, and in March 2023, it was revealed the disease had spread to her brain.
Christmas was singer and actress Linda’s “favourite time of year”, and she documented this last one in her candid column for the Mirror, which was filled with examples of her excellent sense of humour and ability to look on the bright side, even during some of the most painful times in her life.
Sadly, a bad chest infection left Linda unable to eat her Christmas dinner, or indeed get down any nutrients other than energy drinks for the next 11 days, much to the dismay of her close-knit band of surviving sisters, Anne, 74, Denise, 72, Maureen, 69, and Coleen, 59.
Linda Nolan dies with famous sisters by her side after 20-year breast cancer journey
The singer was surrounded by loved ones at the end
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Family was everything to Linda
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Linda’s death has come as a shock to her loyal fans, many of whom have followed her cancer journey in her refreshingly honest weekly Mirror column.
In a column published on January 1, Linda explained that she’d been unable to “eat a bite, not even a sprout” on what was her “favourite day of the year”. Linda recalled: “I staggered down at noon and could only sit on the sofa as everyone else tucked into lunch. I managed to open some presents but was back in bed by 8 pm. I still have gifts unwrapped. A travesty.”
On Boxing Day, Linda headed to the GP, where she was prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection as well as anti-sickness pills for nausea. She was keen to avoid a hospital visit, so her doctor agreed she could go back home unless her condition took a turn.
Admitting that it hadn’t been the fun-filled festive season she’d hoped for, Linda penned: “It’s been grim. It wasn’t the Christmas I wanted. There was no late-night karaoke, and not one of my four selection boxes got opened. As I write this, I don’t plan to go to Coleen’s New Year’s bash either. No burger van in the driveway for me, and no cuddles with her son Jake’s new baby. I’m beyond disappointed.”
Nolan sister Linda was disappointed to have missed out on Coleen’s New Year’s Eve bash
After becoming worried about Linda on New Year’s Eve, Denise, 72, made sure to have her checked over at the hospital, where she was put on a dose of steroids on top of antibiotics. In another piece, Linda reflected on her low-key end to the year, with close pal Sue joining her at home. According to Linda: “They sent me back home to rest, and she was then reassured enough to go to Coleen’s New Year’s party as my friend Sue and her husband Graham came round to stay. I was asleep by 10.10 pm – but that was pretty good going!
“I missed out on pizzas and babies – our new great nephews, Coleen’s son Jake’s boy and our brother Tommy’s new grandson. But for the first time in my life, I wasn’t in the mood for cuddles.”
In her final Mirror column, published January 8, Linda revealed her first meal of 2025 had been a takeaway dish of “Chicken curry with pineapple, no mushrooms”, which she enjoyed with Denise and her husband, Tom Anderson. Linda told readers: “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.”
Linda will be remembered for her contributions to music, and her campaign work
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The next day, Linda felt well enough to visit her brother Brian, whose wife Annie had baked a plate of scones, and a coffee and walnut cake. Witty even in her final days, Linda wrote: “I told her no one likes a show off. I ate a whole half a scone. Jam and cream too. It was so good to get out and chat – or listen, rather, which I know sounds unlikely, but I’m suffering from the worst dry mouth, so gossiping’s restricted. I think that’s a chemo side-effect rather than the flu.”
Discussing how ill she’d been, Linda said: “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 a final line that now feels poignant in retrospect, Linda continued: “I’m no fan of resolutions, but here’s one: It’ll take more than flu to finish me off.”
Linda used her fame as a Nolan sister to campaign for important cancer-related causes
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She led the campaign for wonderdrug Enhertu to be made readily available on the NHS for all those with secondary breast cancer
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Daily Mirror)
On Saturday 11, Linda was taken to hospital with breathing problems. Doctors diagnosed double pneumonia, and because of her secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her brain, she was sadly unable to recover. Linda’s sisters, Anne, Denise, Maureen, and Coleen, were called to her bedside at 3.30 am on Tuesday as doctors started end-of-life care. They kept a vigil by her side in her final hours before she passed away peacefully on Wednesday.
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.”
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.”This statement also acknowledged Linda’s impressive achievements as a West End star and singer, as well as in the field of charity campaigning. It reads: “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 £20 million 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.”
After first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, Linda was given the all-clear in 2011. However, in 2017, just four years after the tragic death of sister Bernie in 2013, at the age of just 53, Linda learned the disease had returned after tumours were discovered in her hip bone and pelvis. Like Bernie, Linda was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer and remained determined to make the absolute most of the time she had left.
Using her significant platform as a music icon, and her wonderful sense of humour, Linda dedicated herself to helping others who were navigating similar ordeals. This included her own sister Anne, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020, mere days after Linda learned her cancer had spread to her liver.
The two supportive sisters underwent chemotherapy together, but while Anne thankfully went into remission, Linda’s cancer could only be slowed down, not cured. In 2023, Linda discovered the cancer had spread to her bones and brain, but even then, she continued to throw herself into charity work – leading the campaign for wonderdrug Enhertu to be made readily available on the NHS for all those living with secondary breast cancer.
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