Irish pop star Linda Nolan, of girl group the Nolans, dies
Linda Nolan, the Irish pop star known for her work with the girl group The Nolans, has died from cancer. She was 65.
Along with sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, Linda belonged to a family of singers who rose to fame in the 1970s. The Nolans are known for their disco hit, "I'm In The Mood For Dancing."
Linda was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. The illness went into remission but returned in 2017 and eventually spread to her brain.
Nolan's agent Dermot McNamara confirmed her death "with profound sadness" in a statement Wednesday, adding she was "surrounded by her devoted family".
Irish pop star dies
Linda was predeceased by her sister Bernie, who died of breast cancer at 52 in 2013. Her sister Anne has overcome two bouts with breast cancer and her sister Coleen was diagnosed with skin cancer last year.
In an eerily prescient column published days before her death, Linda said she thought of her late sister Bernie after coming down with a "bad case of the flu" during the Christmas holiday.
"My legs were even more wobbly than usual and of course although I try not to, I immediately thought of how Bernie was at the end. You think, Oh my God, is this it?" she wrote.
"It was only on Monday I felt well enough to venture out. It feels like a whole new world out there. There's nothing like the sensation of starting to feel better after an illness."
While her symptoms seemed to improve, Nolan was hospitalized days later with double pneumonia. On January 14, she fell into a coma, and the following day she died.
Tributes pouring in
Her sister Coleen, a regular panelist on the TV show Loose Women, shared a touching tribute on Instagram.
"I am utterly devastated by the passing of my sister, Linda. Linda was a beacon of love, kindness and strength,” Coleen wrote in an Instagram tribute.
"Her wit, humor and laughter was infectious, her presence could light up any room," she continued. "Linda had a heart full of compassion and always knew how to bring comfort and joy to those around her."
Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker said of Nolan, "The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humor, such a massive talent."
Formed in 1974 in Blackpool, England, the Nolans became the first Irish act to sell more than 1 million records worldwide. Linda left the group in 1983, later joining her sisters for several comeback tours.