The entertainment world has lost a remarkable figure with the passing of Linda Nolan, who passed away at the age of 65. Known for her contributions to music and television, Linda was part of the iconic pop vocal group the Nolans before transitioning into a successful career on TV. Diagnosed with cancer in 2017, she spent her final days surrounded by her loving siblings at Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital. Her agent, Dermot McNamara, highlighted her as a beacon of hope and resilience, noting her achievements as an Irish pop legend, West End star, and bestselling author. Linda's career included notable hits with the Nolans and memorable appearances on popular TV shows.

Born in Dublin in 1959 and raised in Blackpool, Linda Nolan was one of eight siblings. The family initially formed the Singing Nolans in 1972, recording their debut album that year. In 1974, Linda, along with four of her sisters—Anne, Denise, Maureen, and Bernie—formed the Nolan Sisters, later renamed the Nolans. Their rise to fame was swift, especially after Cliff Richard featured them on his TV show and they toured Europe with Frank Sinatra in 1975. This exposure catapulted them into stardom, with their 1978 covers album reaching the UK top five. One of their biggest hits, "I’m in the Mood for Dancing," became a chart-topping success across Europe and in Japan. They also had two more top 10 hits in the early 1980s.

Linda's career took an unexpected turn when she collaborated with Lemmy from Motörhead in 1981, singing with the blues rockers the Young & Moody Band. Lemmy, impressed by the Nolan sisters' presence, particularly Linda's humor, remarked on their strong personalities. After leaving the Nolans in 1983, Linda ventured into stage musicals, including a three-year run in the West End production of Blood Brothers. She set a Guinness World Record for having the most siblings perform the same role in a musical. In the 2000s, Linda embraced reality TV, appearing on shows like Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Big Brother, which led to regular appearances on Loose Women.

In 2017, Linda announced her cancer diagnosis on Loose Women, expressing her devastation over putting her family through another health crisis. Despite these challenges, she continued to write for the Daily Mirror until shortly before her death. Linda was married to Brian Hudson, who managed her post-Nolans career and passed away in 2007. Her sister Bernie also succumbed to cancer in 2013. Linda's legacy is marked by her resilience and significant contributions to both music and television. Her family praised the hospital staff for their tireless care during her final days, making the experience more bearable.