Linda Nolan, who has today passed away at the age of 65, enjoyed an incredible life surrounded by loved ones. But one painful regret continued to haunt her as she entered her later years

Linda Nolan lived an extraordinary life filled with accomplishments and love, but she harboured one painful regret.

Pop icon Linda, who rose to fame with her sisters in Irish girl group The Nolans, passed away “peacefully” today surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 65. Linda had lived with cancer for many years, having first been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. In March 2023, it was revealed the disease had spread to her brain.

In spite of her ongoing health struggles, Linda kept her brilliant sense of humour and ability to find joy even in her toughest moments. A much-loved Mirror columnist, in one of her final pieces, Dublin-born Linda was able to look on the bright side despite having spent her final Christmas too ill to eat or hug her new grand-nephews.

She told Mirror readers: “Although I’ve missed the revelry, there’s been a different kind of Christmas and New Year in its place. Days of peace and reflection. We’ve talked about Christmases past and all the good times. We popped Sinatra on and remembered Mum and Dad. And my best friend Sue plans to stay with me to see in the New Year, telling me, ‘I am where you are’.”

The singer passed away ‘peacefully’ today, surrounded by her sisters ( 
Image:
PA)

Despite expressing gratitude for all the joy she’d experienced over the years, Linda never shied away from sharing the heartaches she endured – including her regrets over never had children of her own.

Looking back on her eventful life, Linda told RSVP Magazine in 2021: “My only regret in life is that I didn’t have children and that is nobody’s fault but my own. The reason I didn’t have children is because I let my career get in the way and I thought, ‘No, I will wait’. But I don’t dwell on it, and I don’t cry whenever I see a baby.”

She wished she and husband Brian had welcomed children together ( 
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PA)
Linda, who tragically tost husband Brian Hudson to cancer in 2007, also spoke about not having children in her 2018 autobiography From My Heart, where she discussed what she would have done differently if she could have her “time again”.

She wrote: “It was completely down to my career and the idea that I had all the time in the world, and then you realise you don’t. Instead of putting it off year after year, if I had my time again, I would have said to Brian, ‘Well, no time is perfect, let’s have a child’.”

Although she never fulfilled her wish, Linda was a stepmother to Brian’s children, Lloyd and Sarah and was also a foster carer. As the sixth of eight children, she also welcomed many nieces, nephews, and eventually great-nieces and great-nephews.

Brian passed away in 2007 ( 
Image:
Sunday People)
In a statement released to the Mirror, Linda’s agent Dermot McNamara said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan, the celebrated Irish pop legend, television personality, Guinness World Record-holding West End star, Sunday Times bestselling author and Daily Mirror columnist.”

The statement continued: “She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments. 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. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”

As the sixth of eight children, Linda enjoyed a busy family life ( 
Image:
TV Times via Getty Images)And in a heartbreaking tribute posted to Instagram, grieving sister Coleen wrote: “I am utterly devastated by the passing of my sister, Linda. Linda was a beacon of love, kindness, and strength. Her wit, humour and laughter was infectious, her presence could light up any room.

“Linda had a heart full of compassion and always knew how to bring comfort and joy to those around her. Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched, and while we will miss her more than words can express, we take solace in the love and warmth she shared with all of us. Rest in peace, Linda. You will forever be in our hearts. Love you, Coleen xxx (Colette)”

For more information or support about cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support or you can call 020 7940 1760 for advice.