The late singer Linda Nolan was given a fitting send-off, her body transported to her funeral in a pink sparkly coffin as a large assembly of family and friends congregated.
As the hearse carrying the coffin pulled up at St Paul's Church in Blackpool, onlookers applauded. Her sisters Anne, Maureen, Coleen and Denise, along with other family members, made their way towards the church.
Coleen, 59, a panellist on Loose Women, was seen wiping away a tear. The family was dressed in black, but some had added a touch of pink to their outfits with ribbons or handbags.
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They formed a line along the path as the coffin, adorned with a floral arrangement, was carried into the church to the tune of Faith Hill's 'There You'll Be'.
In her eulogy, Denise Nolan-Anderson reminisced about Linda: "She really loved going to premieres and opening nights, having her beautiful hair and makeup done, and always was the life and soul of any big occasion."
"She would have loved all the fuss today."
Among those present were EastEnders actor Shane Richie, who was previously married to Coleen, comedian Tommy Cannon, singer Lisa Maffia and Paul Elliott, better known as comedian Paul Chuckle.
Elliott shared his memories of the singer upon arrival: "She was just a fun, bubbly person. The world's a darker place without her."
He recalled their performances together in pantomimes and charity events, and their last lunch meeting in 2024, adding: "She was just a wonderful person, we always got on well."
Notables such as Charlotte Dawson, the daughter of the renowned comedian Les Dawson; Lee Brennan from the prominent boyband 911; and Coronation Street's own Jodie Prenger, came to pay their respects among other mourners.
Displayed outside the church was a framed photograph of Linda placed upon an easel, with those attending invited to sign a book of condolence.
Linda, along with her sisters Coleen, Bernie, Maureen, Anne, and Denise, skyrocketed to fame with their pop group, producing chart-toppers like 'Gotta Pull Myself Together' and 'I'm In The Mood For Dancing' in the late 70s and into the early 80s. The sisterhood faced a tragedy when Bernie succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 52 in 2013.
Linda, originally from Dublin, passed away last month. A family statement captured the solemnity of her departure: "At around 10.20am on Wednesday 15th January, she passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments, aged 65."
Blackpool became Nolan's chosen home, and fittingly, her funeral took place in the very church where she tied the knot with her beloved late husband, Brian Hudson, sharing over two decades together.
Having been diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2005, which led to a mastectomy, Nolan became an ardent advocate and fundraiser for cancer awareness.
She celebrated being declared cancer-free in 2011. However, a diagnosis in 2017 revealed secondary breast cancer, which later spread to her liver in 2020 and eventually her brain in 2023.
Throughout her challenges, Nolan made significant contributions to charitable causes, helping to secure over £20 million for a variety of charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, and Samaritans.
The family are gathering funds for Trinity Hospice, a cause close to Nolan's heart, and have requested that donations and messages of condolence be directed to a memorial page dedicated to her.
So far, over £2,800 has been collected on the Much Loved website.
Nolan was a Celebrity Big Brother contestant and had an illustrious career in musical theatre, with roles in Blood Brothers, Pump Boys And Dinettes, and Prisoner Cell Block H. She also penned a column for the Daily Mirror.
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