Linda Nolan to be honoured by sisters with special birthday tradition

Linda Nolan's sisters arrives for funeral service in Blackpool

Linda Nolan's sisters have revealed they will honour the late singer annually with a heartfelt birthday tradition.

On Saturday morning (February 1), a hearse bearing her pink glittery coffin arrived at St Paul's Church in Blackpool, marking the beginning of an emotional farewell to the cherished Linda.

Her sisters Anne, Maureen, Loose Women's Coleen and Denise, along with other family members, watched solemnly as Linda's flower-adorned coffin was carried into the church. The family wore black, but hints of pink were evident in ribbons pinned to their clothing or pink handbags they held - a nod to breast cancer awareness.

Linda passed away last month at 65 due to double pneumonia, her immune system having been compromised by secondary breast cancer and its treatment. The Nolan Sisters vocalist spent her final moments surrounded by her loving siblings.

During the funeral service, attendees were told that she would have "loved all the fuss". The Faith Hill song There You'll Be echoed through the church as Linda's coffin was brought in, with mourners filling the space, some standing at the back.

Linda Nolan was laid to rest on her 66th birthday (Image: Getty)

In a touching eulogy, her sister Denise Nolan-Anderson shared: "She really loved going to premieres and opening nights, having her beautiful hair and make-up done, and always was the life and soul of any big occasion. She would have loved all the fuss today," reports the Mirror.

Denise spoke tenderly of the family's unique tribute to Linda on her birthday, sharing that they would toast with her favourite tipple and said: "We remember Bern on her birthday with Vodka mules. Linda's will have to be Peach Melbas."

The singer reminisced about singer Linda's wide circle of friends "who adored her" and recounted the difficulty Linda faced after her cancer diagnosis, telling the congregation, "She said the hair loss was the worst thing for her."

Speaking of the hardships her sister faced, including the loss of her husband Brian and sister Bernie, Denise remarked it could have "destroyed" anyone less resilient, adding: "Not Linda, instead she chose to help raise millions for cancer research."

Linda Nolan's funeral took place in Blackpool (Image: Getty)

With admiration, Denise paid tribute to Linda's display of "courage in the face of adversity" and concluded her moving tribute with, "It's time to rest now Linda. The battle is over. You are free."

The heartfelt service also had a recording of Linda performing When It's Over echoed through the venue following the eulogy.

The funeral drew a crowd of notable personalities, including Charlotte Dawson, daughter of famed comedian Les Dawson, Lee Brennan of the pop group 911, and Coronation Street star Jodie Prenger.

Linda, along with her siblings Coleen, Bernie, Maureen, Anne, and Denise, shot to fame as part of the pop ensemble, delivering hits such as Gotta Pull Myself Together and I'm In The Mood For Dancing during the late 70s and early 80s. Their sister Bernie passed away from breast cancer in 2013 at 52.

Linda initially battled breast cancer in 2005 and reached remission in 2011, only to face a secondary diagnosis in 2017.