The singer passed away aged 65 after a long journey with secondary breast cancer on January 15, 2025
(Image: coleen_nolan/Instagram)
Coleen Nolan has posted a heartbreaking tribute to her sister Linda one year after her death. The singer passed away aged 65 after a long journey with secondary breast cancer on January 15, 2025.
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and was given the all-clear in 2011. But in 2017 – four years after the death of her sister Bernie, aged 52 in 2013 – Linda was told the disease had returned after tumours were found in her hip bone and pelvis. Like Bernie, she was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer but remained determined to make the most of the time she had left.
Posting some pictures of herself with Linda on Instagram, Coleen marked the anniversary by writing: “One year without you Linda, love and miss you everyday”.
The Daily Mirror Columnist passed away with her famous sisters at her side – just days after her last poignant piece for this newspaper . Her final hours were said to have been full of “love and comfort.”
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 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on the MCEW Ward. The family said the hospital couldn’t do enough, they were tireless.”
The singer passed away aged 65 after a long journey with secondary breast cancer on January 15, 2025.(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
Her final hours were said to have been full of “love and comfort.”(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hearst)
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.”
Tributes poured in for the Irish singer on social media, and the Loose Women panel paid an emotional tribute to Coleen’s loss with host Christine Lampard saying: “Some very sad news for you now. Linda Nolan, Coleen’s sister, who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017 has died at the age of 65.”
Her sisters – Anne, 74, Denise, 72, Maureen, 69, and Coleen, 59 – were called to her bedside at 3.30am on the Tuesday prior to her death as doctors made the decision to place her in end-of-life care. They kept a vigil by her side in her final hours.
Sadly Bernie (top right) and Linda (bottom left) have passed away from cancer(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Her agent acknowledged her achievements as a singer, West End star, TV personality, charity campaigner, author and a founding member of The Nolans – who sold more than 30million records, performed for President Gerald Ford and toured with Fran Sinatra.
The statement read: “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.”
In February, fans lined the streets of Blackpool to say their final farewells at Linda’s funeral.(Image: Getty Images)
She decided to use her fame and humour to help others going through a similar ordeal, including her sister Anne, who 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 but while Anne went into remission, Linda’s cancer could only ever be slowed down, not cured.
In 2023, Linda discovered it had moved to her brain, but she threw herself into charity work – and led the campaign for wonderdrug Enhertu to be made available to all secondary breast cancer sufferers on the NHS . She also appeared on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip with Status Quo’s Francis Rossi. In February, fans lined the streets of Blackpool to say their final farewells at Linda’s funeral.
