She is one of the friendliest celebrities in showbusiness, so it’s always lovely to catch up with Linda Nolan. But sadly, this time it’s not a light-hearted chat, as Woman talks to the 64-year-old about the sad news that her ‘incurable’ cancer has now spread to her brain.
Linda’s diagnosis came last month when she was referred for brain scans after she had two falls at home. The singer was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2006, but was given the all-clear the following year.
Cancer has blighted the Nolan family over the years: Linda’s husband Brian passed away from skin cancer in 2007; her younger sister Bernie lost her fight with breast cancer in 2013; older sister Anne has also battled breast cancer twice since 2000; while Linda herself suffered another shock in 2017 when she was diagnosed with incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which then spread to her liver in 2020.
When Woman asks if Linda feels as though this is her biggest battle yet, she replies sincerely, admitting, ‘It really does. But when I wake up, I don’t think, “This is another day closer to dying”, I think, “This is another day I’ve got to have a nice time.” At the moment I’m still able to make lovely memories. I haven’t asked how long I have left to live. I don’t think that knowledge benefits anybody. I would just start panicking.’
Here, the star chats candidly about her fear of dying, her treatment and hopes for the future.
Hi Linda, we’re so sorry to hear about your latest diagnosis. How are you feeling?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TV & REVIEWS
Our pick of what to watch this week, plus the best podcasts and new books...
Beryl's BOUTIQUE
Her heart had been closed for business, but was it time to open up?
Finally I'm a size 10 JUST LIKE MY TWIN!
Eve Little and her twin sister Hayley supported each other through a life-changing journey
Stop bad breath embarrassing you
Party season means you could be getting 'up close and personal' with your nearest and dearest, so don't let poor oral health hold back your fun...
Get moving to beat that low mood
Look, I know it's November. The days are shorter (like our patience) and darker (like, sometimes, our mood) and moving our body gets pushed further down the must-do list. We hunker down and become insular.
Married to a MONSTER
Samantha Treanor, 33, thought she'd never escape her violent partner
MORE BAD NEWS FOR MEGHAN...
Hot on the heels of stories in the US press about the Sussexes being extremely difficult to work for, comes another body blow.
ANXIETY is part of who I am'
TV cook Nadiya Hussain on ageing, her career goals and pushing boundaries
SEPARATE LIVES
Has the shine come off their fairy tale, questions royal biographer Duncan Larcombe
NEVER too late
Catriona had regrets about the past - but perhaps it was time to embrace her future