Linda Nolan, Pop Icon and Cancer Advocate, Dies at 65

BLACKPOOL, England — Linda Nolan, the beloved pop star, TV personality, and cancer campaigner, died Monday at the age of 65. She passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with her siblings by her side, her manager confirmed.

Nolan, a member of the iconic girl group The Nolans, had been battling secondary breast cancer since 2017. Her death came just days after she was hospitalized with double pneumonia, a complication exacerbated by her cancer, which had spread to her brain.

In a statement, her agent Dermot McNamara said, “She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments.” Nolan’s sisters—Anne, Denise, Maureen, and Coleen—were present during her final hours.

Linda Nolan first rose to fame in the 1970s as part of The Nolans, a group that sold over 30 million records worldwide. Known for hits like “I’m In The Mood for Dancing,” the band toured globally and performed for dignitaries, including President Gerald Ford. Nolan also enjoyed a successful solo career, starring in West End productions and becoming a bestselling author.

Her battle with cancer began in 2005 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. After being declared cancer-free in 2011, the disease returned in 2017, spreading to her hip and pelvis. Despite her diagnosis, Nolan became a vocal advocate for cancer awareness, raising over £20 million for charities like Breast Cancer Now and Samaritans.

In recent years, Nolan faced additional challenges as the cancer spread to her liver and brain. She underwent treatment with the life-extending drug Enhertu and continued to share her journey through her weekly column in the Daily Mirror. “I try to stay positive,” she wrote in December 2023. “I’ll use jokes and humour as a way to cope, but of course, it’s scary.”

Nolan’s resilience and humor endeared her to fans worldwide. In her final column, published just days before her death, she wrote, “It’ll take more than flu to finish me off.” Her optimism and determination to live life to the fullest remained unwavering, even as she planned her own funeral, joking about wanting a “pink, sparkly coffin.”

Her death marks another tragic chapter for the Nolan family, which has been deeply affected by cancer. Linda’s sister Bernie died of breast cancer in 2013, while Anne and Coleen have also faced their own battles with the disease. “I don’t want to die. I love my life so much,” Anne Nolan said in 2020, echoing the sentiment shared by her sister Linda.

Linda Nolan’s legacy extends beyond her music and entertainment career. She leaves behind a powerful message of hope and resilience, inspiring countless individuals facing similar challenges. A public memorial is expected to be organized by her family in the coming weeks.