The entertainment world is gathering to bid farewell to Linda Nolan, as stars arrive for the funeral of the cherished Nolan Sister. Linda, adored by many, passed away last month at 65, with her loving family, including Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan, by her side. The service is set for today at 10:30 a. m. at St Paul’s Church, where Linda and her beloved late husband Brian Hudson shared their wedding vows back in the summer of 1981.
As mourners gather, Coleen’s former husband Shane Ritchie has been spotted among those paying their respects. Dressed in a black wool coat and dark glasses, Shane presented a solemn figure at the church. Lisa Maffia, of So Solid Crew fame, who joined Linda’s sister Coleen on ITV’s Full Monty for cancer awareness, was also present. Reflecting on the Nolan sisters, Lisa remarked: “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,” reports the Mirror.
Lisa added a heartfelt tribute, saying, “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.”
The entertainment world gathered in solemn unity as comedian Tommy Cannon, famed for his part in the legendary duo Cannon and Ball, joined Shane and Lisa to bid farewell to the beloved star. The seasoned entertainer maintained a composed demeanour as he entered the church to honour the cherished singer, actress, and Mirror columnist.
Linda’s siblings, deeply aware of her significant impact on countless lives, have extended an open invitation for fans to attend the service, with a heartfelt message that “everyone who knew Linda, or whose lives she touched, are welcome to come and pay their respects”. In a remarkable display of foresight and consideration, Linda meticulously planned her own funeral two years prior to her passing, sparing her family additional sorrow.
Her wishes, including a desire for a pink and sparkly coffin, have been lovingly fulfilled by her relatives, ensuring the entertainment icon is celebrated in style.
After the service, attendees will move on to the crematorium, marking a day dedicated to commemorating Linda’s “extraordinary life”. Blackpool, the town synonymous with the Nolan sisters’ rise to stardom and their long-standing residence, was more than just a place to Linda—it was her “spiritual home”.
