Linda Nolan said her ‘life belongs to cancer’ in a heartbreaking interview about her battle with the disease.   

The Irish singer and television star died on Wednesday aged 65 after living with cancer on and off for 20 years.

In 2017, Linda appeared on Loose Women – where her sister Coleen serves as a panellist – and discussed her health.

That year, doctors discovered a form of incurable secondary breast cancer on Linda’s pelvis which came after she was previously given the all clear from cancer in 2011.

The Nolan sisters have a history of cancer, with herself, Coleen and Anne all receiving diagnoses as well as Bernie pᴀssing away from the disease. 

Her sister Anne was the first to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, and while she got the all-clear, she was diagnosed again in April 2020.

Linda Nolan said her ‘life belongs to cancer ‘ in a heartbreaking interview about her battle with the disease

In 2017, Linda appeared on Loose Women – where her sister Coleen (left) serves as a panellist – and became emotional while discussing her health

The Irish singer and television star died on Wednesday aged 65 after living with cancer on and off for 20 years

Speaking on Loose Women, Linda said: ‘My life is surrounded by cancer. My life belongs to cancer at the moment. I don’t mean that to sound like I’m a victim.’

Confirming her cancer had returned, she said: ‘I feel so bad for my family, having to go through it all again.’

Becoming emotional, she added: ‘I’ve had thousands of messages and cards for the public and I have to say thank you because it realy does help. I’m sorry, sorry for crying.’

In 2020 on the show At Home With The Nolans, Linda remained defiant when she informed her sisters her cancer had spread in her liver.

Arriving after seeing the doctor, she said: ‘Well I have to sit down and tell you that it’s not good news. The tumours in my liver, some of them have gone but some of them have got a bit bigger.’

Linda confirmed she would have to get more chemotherapy, this time in the form of pills, as her sister Maureen -who she visited the hospital with- added: ‘They [the tumours] have minutely got bigger.’

Anne was particularly upset by the news as she grew emotional and said: ‘I’m just so upset because I thought it was going to be good news.’

Linda was determined to remain positive, as she told the others: ‘It’s good news in that they can still treat it.’  

In 2020 on the show At Home With The Nolans, Linda remained defiant when she informed her sisters her cancer had spread in her liver.

Arriving after seeing the doctor, she said: ‘It’s not good news. The tumours in my liver, some of them have gone but some of them have got a bit bigger’

She added: ‘We might have a little cry, and then we’ll have a little laugh, because we always do that. But as long as we have a piña colada at the end of it, we’ll be fine!’

Coleen tried to follow her sister’s example, as she added: ‘I think we have to continue to always try and find the positive.

‘We do grasp opportunities now to spend more time together and to live life and enjoy it for however long we’ve got.’  

Speaking to The Mirror in December, Linda said she was grateful to make it to Christmas and to spend time with her sisters.

Linda admitted she was scared Christmas 2024 would be her last one and said her wish was to ‘keep breathing and see another one’.

She added that her hope for 2025 was ‘to not die, obviously,’ saying she wanted to ‘be here with my family’.

The singer said she thought her 60th birthday would be her last, but had lived on for another five years and desperately wanted to keep living.

Along with her sisters Anne, Coleen, Denise, Bernie and her mother Maureen, she rose to fame as part of The Nolans in the 1970s.

The girl group sold more than 30 million records from their hits including I’m In The Mood For Dancing.

The star was first diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006 – but in 2017 she was diagnosed with a form of incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020.

Speaking to The Mirror in December, Linda said she was grateful to make it to Christmas and to spend time with her sisters (pictured in 2017)

 The star pᴀssed away following a 20-year battle with breast cancer (pictured in 2020)

Along with her sisters Anne, Coleen, Denise, Bernie and her mother Maureen, she rose to fame as part of The Nolans in the 1970s

The Blackpool Tower was lit up in pink on Wednesday night in tribute to Linda 

Three years later she shared the news that the cancer had spread to her brain, with two tumours discovered on the left side which left her struggling with her speech and balance.

And she issued an update last August that the tumours – which were thought to be stable – had grown.

The singer added: ‘I thought my 60th birthday would be my last, but I’m still here, five years later. It’s easy to sit back and get depressed about it, but I’m still going. My hope for 2025? To not die, obviously. I just want to be here with my family.’

This evening, the Blackpool Tower lit up in pink in a tribute to Linda Nolan. The 518ft structure was illuminated with a pink heart added near the base.

Linda and Anne wrote Stronger Together, an account of their journey with cancer with no-holds-barred descriptions of their treatments, the side effects, how they coped with losing their hair and how they had emerged on the other side.

The book is interspersed with recollections of how cancer has affected those close to them, including their late sister Bernie and also Linda’s late husband, Brian.

Read More The moment Coleen Nolan’s Loose Women co-stars found out about her sister Linda’s death

In 2013 the family were devastated when their sister Bernadette, better known as Bernie, died from breast cancer in 2013.

Bernie was first diagnosed with the disease in April 2010, and while she was later declared cancer-free following a mastectomy, in October 2012 it was revealed the disease had returned to her left breast, brain, lungs, liver and bones.

She pᴀssed away in July of the following year at the age of 52.

Linda was born as the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan on February 23 1959 in Dublin.

Her parents – both singers – were keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe and Linda made her stage debut at the age of four.

Their relentless efforts, which often led to late-night performances on school nights, soon steered the girls to international success.

Among their chart hits were Gotta Pull Myself Together, Don’t Make Waves and Attention To Me, and they earned their own BBC TV specials.

In the statement announcing her death, her agent Dermot wrote: ‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the pᴀssing 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.

‘As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide; touring the world and selling over 30 million records, with hits such as Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention to Me and the iconic disco classic I’m In The Mood for Dancing.

Linda (pictured in 2022) was born as the sixth of eight children to Tommy and Maureen Nolan

Linda is pictured with her sister Bernie, who died from breast cancer in 2013

The singer’s death was revealed in a statement released by her agent who revealed she had been diagnosed with double pneumonia (Linda pictured in 1984)

Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Linda Nolan dies aged 65: Singer pᴀsses away with her famous sisters by her side

‘Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.

‘Beyond her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans, amongst countless others.

‘Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.

‘Over the weekend, Linda was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and admitted with double pneumonia. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, she went into a coma and into end-of-life care, surrounded by her devoted family.

‘At around 10:20am on Wednesday 15th January, she pᴀssed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments, aged 65.

‘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.

‘Her family kindly ask for privacy at this difficult time, while they and Linda’s friends grieve the loss of an extraordinary woman. Details of a celebration of Linda’s remarkable life will be shared in due course.

‘Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.’