'Linda Nolan was the life and soul, now it's time to rest, your battle is over'

Funeral of Linda Nolan at St Paul’s Church in Blackpool.
-Credit:Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News


Family, friends and celebrities packed out St Paul's Church in Marton for the funeral of the 65-year-old singer and actress Linda Nolan.

Hundreds more gathered in Blackpool to Linda's final journey - as she was carried into church in a glittery pink coffin.

Famous faces who turned up to show their respects included Paul Chuckle, Tommy Cannon, Lisa Maffia, Charlotte Dawson and Jodie Prenger. Linda, one of the Nolan Sisters, died on January 15 following a long battle with cancer.

READ MORE: Coleen Nolan wipes tears from her eyes in emotional moment at sister Linda's funeral

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John Parker, who was the best man at Linda's wedding to Brian Hudson in 1981, also attended. The family invited fans to the service with dozens lining the paths and pavements leading to the church where Linda had married Brian 44 years ago.

Brian's funeral, following his death in 2007, was also held at St Paul's. Faye Jones, from Wigan, was one of the many fans who travelled to Lancashire for the service. "I've always loved The Nolans," she said.

"We set off at 8am. The family are all so lovely; they're so down to earth. We used to come up to Stanley Park and we would sometimes see Linda in there. She always wanted to talk to you."

The hearse at Linda Nolan's funeral
The hearse at Linda Nolan's funeral -Credit:Jason Roberts/Manchester Evening News

One of the youngest fans who watched on as Linda's pink coffin made its way into St Paul's was eight-year-old Sophie Joyce from Blackpool. Sophie, accompanied by mum Kelly, said was is a 'big fan' of The Nolans.

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Loose Women panellist Coleen was flanked by sisters Denise, Anne and Maureen as she made her way into the church clutching a tissue. Coleen's two sons with ex-husband and actor Shane Richie, Jake and Shane Jr, helped to carry their aunt into St Paul's.

Denise bravely read the eulogy to her younger sister who she described as 'a one-off'. "She was stunning from birth," Denise said.

"Even as a child she had the ability the twist you round her little finger. She had a life-long love of dressing up and she was always the life and soul of any big occasion."

Denise's eulogy was packed with jokes and references to Linda's sense of humour. "If she was arguing with you, you would always have to back off because she would say 'I've got cancer'," Denise said.

Denise described how Linda was referred to by her nieces and nephews as 'Aunty Ginda' in a nod to her love of the drink. "She liked a gin or two," Denise, 72, said.

Coleen was seen wiping a tear from her eye as she arrived at the church
Coleen Nolan was seen wiping a tear from her eye as she arrived at the church -Credit:Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News

Linda was first diagnosed with cancer in 2005. She was given the all clear in 2011 but, in 2017, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with secondary cancer in her pelvis. In 2020 the cancer spread to her liver, and then her brain, in 2023.

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"All these things could have destroyed a lesser person," Denise said. "Not Linda. It's time to rest now Linda. Your battle is over."

The funeral service included the hymn I Watch The Sunrise as well as a recording of Linda herself singing When It's Over. Linda was carried out of the church, and on to Carleton Crematorium, to Josh Groban's To Where You Are.

Doves were released outside the crematorium as those gathered remembered a person who was so full of life, right up until the end. Attendees applauded as the birds took off into the clear blue sky.

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