Linda Nolan’s funeral held in Blackpool

Linda Nolan’s funeral held in Blackpool

Jonny Humphries & Emma Stanley

BBC Information, Lancashire

Getty Images/Christopher Furlong The pink glittery coffin of Linda Nolan is carried out of St Paul’s Church. It has pink and red flowers on top. Hundreds of people are watching.Getty Pictures/Christopher Furlong

Crowds gathered exterior St Paul’s Church, Blackpool, to attend the star’s funeral

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 loss of life in 2007.

Alongside along with her sisters, she was a part of pop group The Nolans, recognized 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 identified with most cancers.

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

PA Media Linda Nolan, wearing a red dress, smiles at the camera with her arms outstretched.PA Media

Linda Nolan’s household mentioned she would have been “thrilled” to see a giant turnout

Entertainers together with Shane Richie and Paul Elliott, the comic higher often known as 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 they’d carried out collectively in pantomimes and at charity capabilities, and so they final met for lunch in 2024.

“She was only a fantastic individual, we at all times obtained on nicely,” 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 relations, who wore black however some had pink ribbons pinned to their outfits or carried pink purses.

PA Media/Getty Images Coleen, Anne, Maureen and Denise attend their sister's funeral. Coleen wears a fluffy black coat and has dark hair. She has a pink ribbon on her coat. Anne has dark hair and carries a pink bag. Maureen has dark hair and has a necklace with the number 6 on it. Denise has shorter hair and has pink ribbons as earrings.PA Media/Getty Pictures

Coleen, Anne, Maureen and Denise attend their sister’s funeral

PA Media Shane Richie wearing a black coat and sunglassesPA Media

Entertainers together with Shane Richie have been additionally on the service in Blackpool

PA Media Paul Elliott outside the church wearing a black suit, tie and sunglassesPA Media

Paul Elliott, the comic higher often known as Paul Chuckle, was a good friend of the late-star

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 performed, 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 shedding her husband Brian and sister Bernie, may have “destroyed” a lesser individual.

Nolan-Anderson added: “Not Linda, as a substitute she selected to assist elevate tens of millions 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’re free,” she mentioned.

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

PA Media The pink sparkly coffin inside St Paul's Church in Blackpool for the funeral of Linda NolanPA Media

In a eulogy, Nolan’s sister Denise mentioned she would have “liked all of the fuss”

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

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

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

The Instagram message referred to as Nolan a “beloved sister, good friend and entertainer” together with a “image of hope, humour and resilience”.

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

PA Media A black and white photo of the five Nolan sisters walking up a staircase inside a theatrePA Media

The Nolans, Linda, Coleen, Bernie, Maureen and Anne, arrive on the Lyceum Ballroom in London in 1980

PA Media An order of service at St Paul's Church in Blackpool PA Media

An order of service at St Paul’s Church in Blackpool

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 identified with breast most cancers in 2005.

She was given the all-clear in 2011, however in 2017 was identified 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 “along with her loving siblings by her bedside”, he added.

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

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