Television presenter Coleen Nolan has spoken about the devastating impact of losing her sister Linda in January, revealing she “lost her mojo for everything” following the bereavement.
The 60-year-old Loose Women panellist’s sister died from pneumonia after living with breast cancer for two decades.
“Linda had cancer for 20 years and was so positive,” Nolan shared. “I got to a point where I thought she’d outlive us all. Then when it happened, it happened so quickly.”
The presenter described feeling overwhelmed by grief after Linda’s death. “Afterwards, I didn’t want to get out of bed. It was overwhelming,” she said.
Linda Nolan died at the age of 65 in January
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Nolan took extended leave from her television duties whilst processing the loss of her sister.
Linda passed away on 15 January at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, with her family by her side.
Her agent Dermot McNamara released a statement saying: “She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments.”
The statement continued: “Linda’s legacy extends beyond her incredible achievements in music and entertainment. She was a beacon of hope and resilience, sharing her journey to raise awareness and inspire others.”
Coleen Nolan opened up about her sister’s death
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Linda was a founding member of The Nolans, who sold more than 30 million records and performed for President Gerald Ford.
Her career spanned singing, West End performances, television presenting, charity campaigning and writing.
She was the second of the Nolan sisters to die, following Bernie’s death in 2013 at age 52.
Nolan shared how she relied heavily on her daughter Ciara during the difficult period following Linda’s death.
“My kids literally didn’t leave my side and when I needed to be alone, they would be in the next room,” she told OK! magazine. “Ciara took control of everything and everyone that came round.”
The loss occurred months before Nolan’s 60th birthday, causing her to reflect on her own mortality.
She found herself unable to work or socialise, struggling with the grief of losing a second sister.
Nolan has credited therapy with helping her navigate the grief and move forward.
Loose Women panelist Coleen Nolan explained that therapy ‘saved’ her
ITV
“I really needed it this year because I didn’t know how to push forward and had an incredible sadness, and when it wasn’t sadness it was numbness,” she said.
“Therapy has absolutely saved me,” she explained. “My therapist can’t give me a pill or an operation to fix me, it ultimately has to come from me, but it gives me the belief and the courage that I’m strong enough to do it.”
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Coleen’s daughter Ciara Fensome supported her mother through her grief
Elsewhere, Nolan has been celebrating other family updates, with two of her three children expecting a baby.
Earlier this month, the presenter expressed her delight at daughter Ciara’s baby news, with son Shane also announcing he is expecting a second child.
The two new babies will make her a grandmother of four, as Shane already has a daughter, Amelia, who was born in 2016.
Nolan’s middle child, Jake Roche became a father to a baby boy in November 2024.
