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Coleen Nolan Emotional Overwhelmed as Olivier Awards Honor Sister Linda Posthumously

BBG News

At the 2025 Olivier Awards held on a Sunday night, Coleen Nolan felt deeply emotional as her late sister, Linda, was recognized. This heartfelt moment came three months after Linda’s untimely passing.

On January 15, 2025, the actress and singer lost her life at the age of 65 after bravely fighting breast cancer for twenty years and also battling double pneumonia during that time.

Through a post on her Instagram Stories, the Loose Women star (who is 60 years old) published a photo showing her television at the very instant her cherished sibling was highlighted in the In Memoriam section of the program.

Next to a monochrome picture of the late actress, the post reads: ‘Linda Nolan – Actress and Singer’, accompanied by Coleen’s caption: ‘Thanks, @Olivierawards, for your heartfelt tribute to Linda.’

The event honors exceptional talent in the theater world. After initially achieving popularity as part of the pop group The Nolans, Linda subsequently took center stage in numerous West End productions such as Blood Brothers and Prisoner: Cell Block H.

A few weeks ago, it was disclosed that Brian, the brother of Linda and Coleen, has also been diagnosed with cancer.

Three days following Linda’s passing, a heartbroken Brian, aged 69, received a crushing diagnosis: he had stage two prostate cancer – making him the fifth among the Nolan siblings to fight this illness.

In addition to Linda, the Nolan family unfortunately experienced the loss of Bernie due to breast cancer in 2013. Anne, who is 74 years old, was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2000, and Coleen, aged 60, received a skin cancer diagnosis in 2023.

Brian, who is one of the Nolan siblings, expressed his deep wish to The Mirror that cancer would simply stay away from him.

Brian compared his diagnosis to getting struck by a train, stating that at first, he felt it was the worst possible outcome.

‘You start plunging into the abyss of: ”I’m going to die”,’ he admitted.

The doctor rose and declared, “We aim to tackle this issue and eradicate it,” filling me with determination. I pray for the strength that my sisters showed in similar situations.

The cancer has thankfully not spread and Brian will undergo surgery to remove his prostate gland.

Brian chose not to share his cancer worries with his siblings, as they had been deeply affected by Linda’s worsening state prior to her passing in January.

He believed he was making the correct decision and continues to do so, as it would have led to even more sorrow, given that we were already overwhelmed by tears and sorrow.

Amid his own struggles, he spent 28 hours sitting by Linda’s bedside in her final days.

Colleen, a member of the Loose Women panel, confessed that she was left speechless when Brian shared his unexpected diagnosis. She felt herself go blank and had an urge to shout out.

Yet, she expressed her own pride in her brother’s resilience and added that they would confront the obstacle united as a family.

Back in November, I found myself standing at the doctor’s office, driven by a growing concern about my frequent bathroom visits. Little did I know that this would lead to a series of PSA tests – these are simple blood tests designed to detect prostate cancer.

After Christmas, he underwent an MRI scan, followed by a biopsy during the New Year. It wasn’t until after Linda’s passing that he received a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

As a devoted spouse, I find myself fortunate to have the unwavering support of my wife, Ann, as I bravely share my own experience with prostate cancer. My aim is to increase public understanding about this disease, particularly its symptoms, in hopes of helping others who may be going through the same ordeal.

In 2005, Linda received a stage three breast cancer diagnosis, followed by a clean bill of health in 2006. However, in 2017, she was diagnosed with an incurable type of secondary cancer in her hip that later spread to her liver in 2020.

Three years down the line, she disclosed that the cancer had advanced to affect her brain, uncovering two tumors on the left hemisphere of her brain, causing difficulties with her speech and equilibrium.

She announced in August that the tumors, previously believed to be stationary, had actually increased in size.

The well-known Irish celebrity belonged to the Nolan family, which included her siblings Coleen, Maureen, Denise, Anne, and Bernie. Sadly, Bernie passed away from breast cancer in 2013 at the age of 52.

Brian’s siblings – Linda, Coleen, Anne, and sadly Bernie – have each had experiences with cancer, some having received diagnoses, and unfortunately, Bernie lost his life to it.

Linda shared back in November that she hadn’t anticipated surviving until Christmas, which made the holiday season even more meaningful for her.

At that moment, she expressed her excitement by saying: “I can hardly wait. To be honest, I hadn’t expected to celebrate Christmas, so this is an unexpected and delightful surprise.

As a family, we eagerly anticipate Christmas, and this year, we’ll all be meeting up at Denise’s place. It promises to be fantastic! Our reunions are always filled with joy, so I can hardly wait. What excites me the most is witnessing the delight of the little ones as they look forward to the festivities.

Right before the holiday season, she confessed to OK! magazine that she was terrified of death, expressing, “What frightens me the most? The thought of dying. I’m saddened by the inevitability of it.

When the conversation turns towards organizing or sorting out matters, I prefer not to engage. I find it uncomfortable to contemplate my personal affairs as it feels quite conclusive.

Each year, on my birthday and at Christmas, I hope to celebrate the following year. For example, this year I plan to toast and wish, “To 2025!”

Or more informally:
Each year, I’m hoping to make it to the next birthday and Christmas. This year, I’ll definitely raise a glass and say, “Cheers to 2025!

‘I have to be like that, I can’t be a grey cloud of doom.’

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2025-04-07 12:21

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