Linda Nolan’s funeral held in Blackpool

Household, pals and followers have turned out for the funeral of singer Linda Nolan.

A memorial for the Dublin-born star was held at St Paul’s Church, Blackpool, the place she additionally married her husband Brian Hudson. The couple have been married for 26 years earlier than his dying in 2007.

Alongside together with her sisters, she was a part of pop group The Nolans, identified for his or her hit I am within the Temper for Dancing, and died on 15 January aged 65, twenty years after she was first recognized with most cancers.

In a eulogy, her sister Denise Nolan-Anderson mentioned “she would have liked all of the fuss immediately”.

Entertainers together with Shane Richie and Paul Elliott, the comic higher often called Paul Chuckle, have been amongst those that attended.

Elliott mentioned of the singer: “She was only a enjoyable, bubbly individual. The world’s a darker place with out her.”

He mentioned that they had carried out collectively in pantomimes and at charity features, and so they final met for lunch in 2024.

“She was only a fantastic individual, we at all times obtained on properly,” he added.

Members of the general public applauded because the hearse, carrying a pink glittery coffin, arrived on the church for the service at 10:30 GMT.

Her sisters Anne, Maureen, Coleen and Denise walked with different members of the family, who wore black however some had pink ribbons pinned to their outfits or carried pink purses.

They lined the trail because the coffin, topped with flowers, was carried into the church whereas The Religion Hill track There You may Be was performed.

Denise Nolan-Anderson’s eulogy mentioned: “She actually liked going to premieres and opening nights, having her lovely hair and make-up completed, and at all times was the life and soul of any large event.”

She mentioned the singer had so many pals “who adored her”.

Describing her sister’s most cancers prognosis, she instructed the church: “She mentioned the hair loss was the worst factor for her.”

She mentioned the prognosis, together with dropping her husband Brian and sister Bernie, may have “destroyed” a lesser individual.

Nolan-Anderson added: “Not Linda, as an alternative she selected to assist increase thousands and thousands for most cancers analysis.”

She mentioned her sister confirmed “braveness within the face of adversity”.

“It is time to relaxation now Linda. The battle is over. You might be free,” she mentioned.

A recording of Linda singing When It is Over was performed after the eulogy.

Stars together with comic Tommy Cannon and singer Lisa Maffia additionally arrived for the service, the place a framed picture of Nolan was positioned on an easel outdoors the church.

Charlotte Dawson, daughter of comic Les Dawson, Lee Brennan from boyband 911 and Coronation Road actress Jodie Prenger have been additionally among the many mourners.

Nolan’s sister Anne had earlier posted on social media that Linda can be “thrilled” if her pals and followers got here to say their goodbyes.

The Instagram message known as Nolan a “beloved sister, pal and entertainer” together with a “image of hope, humour and resilience”.

Mourners signed a e-book of condolence outdoors, with followers who gathered to pay their respects within the chilly climate saved heat with cups of tea handed out by a resident.

Nolan, who rose to fame in household group The Nolans with sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had lengthy been a campaigner and fundraiser for most cancers consciousness, having been recognized with breast most cancers in 2005.

She was given the all-clear in 2011, however in 2017 was recognized with secondary breast most cancers, which later unfold.

The singer was admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with double pneumonia in January, earlier than going right into a coma, her supervisor Dermot McNamara mentioned.

She died “together with her loving siblings by her bedside”, he added.

Nolan appeared on Superstar Large Brother and her musical theatre profession included Blood Brothers, Pump Boys And Dinettes and Prisoner Cell Block H – The Musical, with Paul O’Grady.