Home Entertainment Linda Nolan says ‘my life belongs to cancer’ but she doesn’t want to be a ‘victim’ in emotional interview before her death aged 65

Linda Nolan says ‘my life belongs to cancer’ but she doesn’t want to be a ‘victim’ in emotional interview before her death aged 65

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Linda Nolan said her 'life belongs to cancer' in heartbreaking interview about her battle with the disease

Linda Nolan said “her life belongs to cancer” in a heartbreaking interview about her battle with the disease.

The Irish singer and television star died on Wednesday at age 65 after living with cancer on and off for 20 years.

In 2017, Linda appeared on Loose Women, where her sister Coleen acts as a panellist, and opened up about her health.

That year, doctors discovered a form of incurable secondary breast cancer in Linda’s pelvis, which occurred after she had been cleared of cancer in 2011.

The Nolan sisters have a history of cancer; She, Coleen and Anne were diagnosed and Bernie passed away from the disease.

Her sister Anne was the first to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and, although she was given the all-clear, she was diagnosed again in April 2020.

Linda Nolan said her ‘life belongs to cancer’ in heartbreaking interview about her battle with the disease

In 2017, Linda appeared on Loose Women, where her sister Coleen (left) is a panellist, and became emotional when talking about her health.

In 2017, Linda appeared on Loose Women, where her sister Coleen (left) is a panelist, and became emotional when talking about her health.

The Irish singer and television star died on Wednesday at age 65 after living with cancer on and off for 20 years.

The Irish singer and television star died on Wednesday at age 65 after living with cancer on and off for 20 years.

Speaking on Loose Women, Linda said: ‘My life is surrounded by cancer. My life belongs to cancer right now. I don’t mean to sound like a victim.

Confirming that her cancer had returned, she said: “I feel really bad for my family for having to go through all this again.”

Getting emotional, he added: “I have received thousands of messages and cards for the public and I have to thank them because it really helps.” I’m sorry, I’m sorry for crying.’

In 2020, on At Home With The Nolans, Linda remained defiant when she informed her sisters that her cancer had spread to her liver.

Coming in after seeing the doctor, he said, ‘Well, I have to sit down and tell him it’s not good news. The tumors in my liver, some have disappeared but others have gotten a little bigger.’

Linda confirmed that she would have to have more chemotherapy, this time in pill form, while her sister Maureen – with whom she visited the hospital – added: “They (the tumours) have enlarged minutely.”

Anne was particularly upset by the news, becoming emotional and saying: “I’m really upset because I thought it was going to be good news.”

Linda was determined to stay positive and told the others: “It’s good news that you can still treat it.”

In 2020, on At Home With The Nolans, Linda remained defiant when she informed her sisters that her cancer had spread to her liver.

In 2020, on At Home With The Nolans, Linda remained defiant when she informed her sisters that her cancer had spread to her liver.

Arriving after seeing the doctor, he said: 'It's not good news. The tumors in my liver, some have disappeared but others have gotten a little bigger.

Arriving after seeing the doctor, he said: ‘It’s not good news. The tumors in my liver, some have disappeared but others have gotten a little bigger.

He added: “We might cry a little bit and then we’ll laugh a little bit, because we always do that.” But as long as we have a piña colada at the end, we’ll be fine!’

Coleen tried to follow her sister’s lead, adding: “I think we just have to keep trying to always find the positive.”

“Now we take opportunities to spend more time together and live life and enjoy it for as long as we have.”

talking to The mirror In December, Linda said she was grateful to be able to make it to Christmas and spend time with her sisters.

Linda admitted she was afraid Christmas 2024 would be her last and said her wish was to “keep breathing and see another one.”

He added that his hope for 2025 was “not to die, obviously,” and said he wanted to “be here with my family.”

The singer said she thought her 60th birthday would be her last, but she had lived another five years and desperately wanted to keep living.

Along with her sisters Anne, Coleen, Denise, Bernie and her mother Maureen, she rose to fame as part of The Nolans in the 1970s.

The girl group sold more than 30 million records of their hits, including I’m In The Mood For Dancing.

The star was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006, but in 2017 she was diagnosed with an incurable secondary form of cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020.

Speaking to The Mirror in December, Linda said she was grateful to be able to make it to Christmas and spend time with her sisters (pictured in 2017).

Speaking to The Mirror in December, Linda said she was grateful to be able to make it to Christmas and spend time with her sisters (pictured in 2017).

The star passed away after a 20-year battle with breast cancer (pictured in 2020)

The star passed away after a 20-year battle with breast cancer (pictured in 2020)

Along with her sisters Anne, Coleen, Denise, Bernie and her mother Maureen, she rose to fame as part of The Nolans in the 1970s.

Along with her sisters Anne, Coleen, Denise, Bernie and her mother Maureen, she rose to fame as part of The Nolans in the 1970s.

Blackpool Tower was lit up in pink on Wednesday night in tribute to Linda

Blackpool Tower was lit up in pink on Wednesday night in tribute to Linda

Three years later, she shared the news that the cancer had spread to her brain and two tumors were discovered on her left side that left her struggling with speech and balance.

And last August he posted an update that the tumors, thought to be stable, had grown.

The singer added: “I thought my 60th birthday would be my last, but I’m still here, five years later.” It’s easy to sit back and get depressed about it, but I’m still going to keep going. My hope for 2025? To not die, obviously. I just want to be here with my family.’

Tonight, Blackpool Tower was lit up in pink in tribute to Linda Nolan. The 518-foot structure was illuminated with a pink heart added near the base.

Linda and Anne wrote Stronger Together, an account of their cancer journey with open-ended descriptions of their treatments, the side effects, how they coped with hair loss, and how they had come out on the other side.

The book is interspersed with memories of how cancer has affected her loved ones, including her late sister Bernie and also Linda’s late husband Brian.

In 2013, the family was devastated when her sister Bernadette, better known as Bernie, died of breast cancer in 2013.

Bernie was first diagnosed with the disease in April 2010, and although she was later declared cancer-free after a mastectomy, in October 2012 it was revealed that the disease had returned to her left breast, brain, lungs, liver and bones. .

He died in July of the following year at the age of 52.

Linda was born the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan on February 23, 1959 in Dublin.

Her parents, both singers, wanted to turn their young family into a musical group and Linda made her stage debut at the age of four.

Their tireless efforts, which often led to late-night performances during school nights, soon led the girls to international success.

Their chart hits included Gotta Pull Myself Together, Don’t Make Waves and Attention To Me, and they earned their own BBC television specials.

In the statement announcing her death, her agent Dermot wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan, the celebrated Irish pop legend, television personality, Guinness World Record-holding West End star, best-selling author of Sunday Times and producer of the Daily Mirror Columnist.

‘As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved worldwide success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide; touring the world and selling over 30 million records, with hits like Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention to Me and the iconic disco classic I’m In The Mood for Dancing.

Linda (pictured in 2022) was born the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan.

Linda (pictured in 2022) was born the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan.

Linda is pictured with her sister Bernie, who died of breast cancer in 2013.

Linda is pictured with her sister Bernie, who died of breast cancer in 2013.

The singer's death was revealed in a statement issued by her agent who revealed that she had been diagnosed with double pneumonia (Linda pictured in 1984).

The singer’s death was revealed in a statement issued by her agent, who revealed that she had been diagnosed with double pneumonia (Linda pictured in 1984).

‘His distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing his place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.

‘Beyond her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping to raise over £20 million for numerous charities including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans, among many others.

‘His selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be the cornerstone of his legacy.

‘Over the weekend, Linda was taken by ambulance to Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital and admitted with double pneumonia. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, she fell into a coma and received terminal care, surrounded by her devoted family.

‘At around 10:20am on Wednesday 15th January, she passed away peacefully, with her beloved siblings at her bedside, ensuring she was held with love and comfort during her final moments, aged 65.

‘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.

‘Her family kindly requests privacy at this difficult time, as they and Linda’s friends mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman. Details of a celebration of Linda’s extraordinary life will be shared in due course.

‘Rest in peace, Linda. “We will miss you deeply, but we will never forget you.”

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