Singer Linda Nolan, a member of the pop group The Nolans, has passed away at the age of 65, following a two-decade battle with cancer.
Her agent, Dermot McNamara, announced her death "with profound sadness" in a statement on Wednesday, noting that Nolan was "surrounded by her devoted family".
Nolan was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, declared cancer-free in 2011, but later faced a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer in 2017, which eventually spread to her brain by 2023.
She rose to fame in the 1970s alongside her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise, and Anne. The group achieved success with hits like the 1980 disco classic "I'm In The Mood for Dancing".
The Nolans were the first Irish act to surpass one million records sold globally, ultimately reaching a total of 30 million records sold. Other notable hits included "Gotta Pull Myself Together" and "Attention to Me".
McNamara further stated, "Over the weekend, Linda was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital due to double pneumonia, leading her to be placed in end-of-life care after falling into a coma early Tuesday. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, surrounded by her loving siblings, at the age of 65. The family expressed gratitude for the hospital's compassionate care."
"Linda's legacy goes beyond her musical accomplishments. She symbolized hope and resilience and shared her journey to advocate and inspire others. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten."
Christine Lampard, a presenter on Loose Women, announced Nolan's passing during Wednesday's episode, describing it as "very sad news". Panellist Nadia Sawalha expressed shock and conveyed the team's condolences.
Linda had made appearances on the show several times, while her sister Coleen is a regular panellist. Additionally, Linda had roles in the West End, wrote a column for the Daily Mirror, and authored a successful memoir.
She raised over £20 million for various charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, and Samaritans.
Nolan's sister Anne, with whom she co-starred on the TV series "The Nolans Go Cruising," overcame a second breast cancer diagnosis in 2020. On the other hand, Coleen disclosed her skin cancer diagnosis last year and was undergoing treatment with chemotherapy cream.
Their sister Bernie succumbed to breast cancer in 2013 at the age of 52.