Singer Linda Nolan was brought to her funeral in a pink sparkly coffin as a large crowd of family and friends gathered.
Members of the public applauded as the hearse carrying the coffin arrived at St Paul’s Church in Blackpool, with her sisters Anne, Maureen, Coleen and Denise walking towards the church with other family members.
Her sister Coleen (59), a panelist on ITV’s Loose Women programme, wiped a tear from her eye.
The family wore black but some had pink ribbons pinned to their outfits or carried pink handbags.
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They lined the path as the coffin, topped with a floral arrangement, was carried into the church with the Faith Hill song There You’ll Be playing.
In a eulogy, her sister Denise 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.”
EastEnders actor Shane Richie, who was previously married to Coleen, and comedian Tommy Cannon, singer Lisa Maffia and Paul Elliott, the comedian better known as Paul Chuckle, were among those in attendance.
Elliott said of the singer as he arrived: “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.”
A framed photo of Linda was placed on an easel outside the church with mourners signing a book of condolence.
Linda and her sisters Coleen, Bernie, Maureen, Anne and Denise 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. Bernie died of breast cancer in 2013 aged 52.
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 millions 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.
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. –PA
