A whole host of stars have started arriving for Linda Nolan's funeral following the tragic loss of the singer.
The much-loved Nolan Sister sadly died last month at the age of 65, surrounded by her devoted siblings, including Loose Women star, Coleen Nolan. Linda's funeral service is being held today. It will begin at 10:30 a.m. at St Paul's Church – the same place where Linda exchanged vows with her "soulmate" husband, the late Brian Hudson, in the summer of 1981.
Ahead of the service, stars have begun arriving at the church, including Coleen's ex-husband, Shane Ritchie. Wearing dark glasses and wrapped up against the cold in a black woollen coat, Shane cut a sombre figure as he paid his respects to Linda.
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Getty Images)Also seen outside the church, was So Solid Crew star, Lisa Maffia, who starred in the Full Monty on ITV to boost awareness of the importance of early health checks in preventing women’s cancers, along with Linda's sister Coleen. Paying tribute to both Nolan sisters, Lisa said: "I did the full Monty with Coleen and we connected through that. She was one of those angels who always gave me prompts to be happy and smile. She was just a very positive person.
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Emily Retter/Daily Mirror)"My mum is a cancer survivor, and without a positive attitude cancer can take over. Linda faced it for so long and what got her through it was loving the life she was given. We should all take a leaf out of her book."
Joining Shane and Lisa was comedian, Tommy Cannon, best known as part of the comic double act, Cannon and Ball. The showbiz veteran looked stoic as he made his way inside the church to the pay his respects to the popular star.
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Getty Images)Fellow comic, Paul Chuckle, real name Paul Elliott, was also amongst the mourners in Blackpool today. The Chuckle Brothers were an English comedy double comprising real-life brothers Barry Elliott, who sadly died in 2018 and Paul.
Paul was dressed smartly for the funeral, sporting a black suit, tie and dark glasses as he made his way into the church.
Knowing just how much the singer, actress and Mirror columnist meant to so many, her close-knit siblings have encouraged fans to show out in full force, noting that "everyone who knew Linda, or whose lives she touched, are welcome to come and pay their respects".
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Getty Images)Image:
Getty Images)Linda bravely planned her own funeral two years before her death, selflessly wanting to save her siblings from further heartache. And her special requests, including wanting a pink and sparkly coffin, have been honoured by her family, to ensure the showbiz legend gets the perfect send off.
Following the funeral, mourners will then proceed to the crematorium, in a day that aims to celebrate Linda's "extraordinary life". Blackpool, the town where the Dublin-born Nolan sisters first found fame and have lived for much of their lives, is said to have been Linda's "spiritual home".
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