Coleen Nolan took to social media to share unseen photos of her beloved sister Linda and a tear-jerking recording of her singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow hours after her funeral

Coleen Nolan has spoken out with a heartfelt post a day after attending her sister Linda’s funeral.

The Loose Women presenter and singer joined her family members as Linda was laid to rest on Saturday in a moving send off that was also attended by many of Linda’s celebrity friends.

Linda passed away on January 15 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Huge crowds gathered as Linda’s pink, sparkly coffin carried into church by Coleen’s son’s Shane and Jake. Coleen and her sisters – who formed The Nolans pop group in the 70s all wore pink breast cancer broaches and earrings for the service.

“Yesterday, we said a heartbreaking goodbye to my sister Linda for the last time, and it was a truly beautiful send-off.

“A couple of weeks ago, I came across an unreleased recording of Linda singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and I wanted to share it with you all alongside some cherished old photos and videos. Thank you all for your continued support, love Col xx”

Linda’s pink sparkly coffin was carried into St Paul’s Church in Blackpool ( 
Image:
Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The post was met with a huge response from the TV star’s followers. Her fellow Loose Women Judi Love replied ‘This is so beautiful.’ Former Loose Women Saira Khan added: “Beautiful, just like she was.”

One of Coleen’s followers shared: “It’s a shame this couldn’t be released now it would be the most fitting tribute to Linda, possibly raise more money for research into cancer. Thank you for sharing this with us, you were in my thoughts yesterday and many other C patients. I know they lit a candle on the ward I stay in on the C unit for Linda. RIP Linda thank you for being that beacon of light to so many of us, never forgotten.”

On Saturday, Linda’s sister Denise Nolan-Anderson delivered the eulogy and praised her sister’s “courage in the face of adversity”. She added: “It’s time to rest now, Linda. The battle is over, you are free.”

Acknowledging the huge attendance on the day, Denise said: “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.”

Denise also praised her sister’s “courage in the face of adversity”. She added: “It’s time to rest now, Linda. The battle is over, you are free.”

The service was attended by a number of celebrities, including Charlotte Dawson, singer Lisa Maffia, comedian Tommy Cannon and actor Shane Richie, Coleen Nolan’s ex-husband.

Coleen, 59, recently revealed that her family decided to ignore one of Linda’s more outlandish requests.

Maureen Nolan arrives for the funeral of Linda ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Coleen Nolan and her sisters wore pink broaches in a show of support to those battling breast cancer ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
The Loose Women star said: “She wanted everyone in black, wearing mantillas, those little lace veils that cover your face. I remember saying, ‘You are joking, Linda! If I see all my sisters in mantillas, I’m going to laugh the whole way through the funeral!’We’ve decided not to do that, but we are wearing black.

“Her coffin is pure showbiz – bright pink and sparkly, just as she wanted. The one thing my sister loved was bling – her trainers had bling on them, her handbags, her tops, her walking stick – so it feels right that she has a glittery pink coffin.”