Mourners told Linda Nolan would have ‘loved all the fuss’ at her funeral
The Dublin-born singer died last month aged 65.
Mourners at the funeral of singer Linda Nolan have been told she would have “loved all the fuss”, by her sister Denise Nolan-Anderson.
The singer’s pink sparkly coffin was carried from St Paul’s 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 Nolan’s sisters, Loose Women panellist Coleen, wiped tears from her eyes as she left the service.
Linda, Denise, Coleen and their sisters Bernie, Maureen and Anne formed the pop group The Nolans, recording hits like Gotta Pull Myself Together and I’m In The Mood For Dancing in the late 70s and early 80s.
In a eulogy, Nolan-Anderson said of Linda: “She 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.
“She would have loved all the fuss today.”
She said losing her hair following her cancer diagnosis was “the worst thing” for Linda, along with the deaths of her husband Brian and sister Bernie.
Nolan-Anderson said while it could have “destroyed” a lesser person, “not Linda, instead she chose to help raise millions for cancer research”.
She said Linda showed “courage in the face of adversity”, adding: “It’s time to rest now Linda. The battle is over, you are free.”
A recording of Linda singing When It’s 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 You’ll Be was played.
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: “She was just a fun, bubbly person. The world’s a darker place without her.”
He said they had performed together in pantomimes and at charity functions, and last met for lunch in 2024, adding: “She was just a wonderful person, we always got on well.”
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: “She touched so many hearts and she’s just fabulous.
“I’m in full glam for you Linda, because she’d love me in full glam.
“The sun is shining for her and she’s just such an amazing person. She just lit up every room she walked into.”
She added: “We just used to have so many different memories, travelling all around the country, having a laugh and just getting up to mischief.
“That was our favourite thing to do.”
A framed photo of Linda was placed on an easel outside the church with mourners signing a book of condolence.
Before the ceremony, The Nolans’ X account shared a picture of the order of service and asked fans to join them in mourning her.
Dublin-born Linda died last month, with a family statement saying: “At 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.”
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.
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.
