Mourners told Linda Nolan would have âloved all the fussâ at her funeral
The Dublin-born singer died last month aged 65.
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Mourners at the funeral of singer Linda Nolan have been told she would have âloved all the fussâ, by her sister Denise Nolan-Anderson.
The singerâs pink sparkly coffin was carried from St Paulâs Church in Blackpool to applause from members of the public who had lined the streets while To Where You Are by Josh Groban was played.
Another of Nolanâs sisters, Loose Women panellist Coleen, wiped tears from her eyes as she left the service.
Coleen Nolan arriving at her sisterâs funeral (Steve Allen/PA)
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Linda, Denise, Coleen and their sisters Bernie, Maureen and Anne formed the pop group The Nolans, recording hits like Gotta Pull Myself Together and Iâm In The Mood For Dancing in the late 70s and early 80s.
In a eulogy, Nolan-Anderson said of Linda: âShe really loved going to premieres and opening nights, having her beautiful hair and make-up done, and always was the life and soul of any big occasion.
âShe would have loved all the fuss today.â
Denise Nolan-Anderson spoke of her sisterâs fundraising efforts (Steve Allen/PA)
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She said losing her hair following her cancer diagnosis was âthe worst thingâ for Linda, along with the deaths of her husband Brian and sister Bernie.
Nolan-Anderson said while it could have âdestroyedâ a lesser person, ânot Linda, instead she chose to help raise millions for cancer researchâ.
An order of service at St Paulâs Church in Blackpool (Steve Allen/PA)
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She said Linda showed âcourage in the face of adversityâ, adding: âItâs time to rest now Linda. The battle is over, you are free.â
A recording of Linda singing When Itâs Over was played after the eulogy.
Family members wore black but some had pink ribbons pinned to their outfits, or carried pink handbags.
They lined the path as the pink sparkly coffin topped with a floral arrangement was carried into the church as Faith Hill song There Youâll Be was played.
Actor Shane Richie, Lindaâs former brother-in-law, arrives at the funeral (Steve Allen/PA)
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EastEnders actor Shane Richie, who was previously married to Coleen Nolan, comedians Tommy Cannon and Paul Elliott, better known as Paul Chuckle, and singer Lisa Maffia were among the mourners.
Elliott said of Linda: âShe was just a fun, bubbly person. The worldâs a darker place without her.â
He said they had performed together in pantomimes and at charity functions, and last met for lunch in 2024, adding: âShe was just a wonderful person, we always got on well.â
Paul Elliott has acted with Linda Nolan in pantomime (PA)
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Charlotte Dawson, the daughter of comedian Les Dawson, also attended, along with Lee Brennan from boyband 911 and Coronation Street actress Jodie Prenger.
Before the service, Dawson said of Linda: âShe touched so many hearts and sheâs just fabulous.
âIâm in full glam for you Linda, because sheâd love me in full glam.
âThe sun is shining for her and sheâs just such an amazing person. She just lit up every room she walked into.â
The coffin at St Paulâs Church (Steve Allen/PA)
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She added: âWe just used to have so many different memories, travelling all around the country, having a laugh and just getting up to mischief.
âThat was our favourite thing to do.â
A framed photo of Linda was placed on an easel outside the church with mourners signing a book of condolence.
Dublin-born Linda died last month, with a family statement saying: âAt around 10.20am on Wednesday 15th January, she passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments, aged 65.â
Nolan had made Blackpool her home, and her funeral was held in the church where she wed her late husband, Brian Hudson. They were married for more than two decades.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, which resulted in a mastectomy, Nolan was a long-time campaigner and fundraiser for cancer awareness.
She was given the all-clear in 2011 but in 2017 was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, which spread to her liver in 2020 and to her brain in 2023.
Flowers were laid in tribute outside the church (Steve Allen/PA)
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Nolan helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans.
The family are raising money for Trinity Hospice, which Nolan supported, and have asked that donations and messages of condolence be sent to a memorial page in her memory.
More than £2,800 has been raised on the Much Loved site so far.
Nolan appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and her musical theatre career included Blood Brothers, Pump Boys And Dinettes and Prisoner Cell Block H. She also wrote a Daily Mirror column.