Linda Nolan: ‘Regrets? I just have one…’
Linda Nolan has incurable cancer. Here, she opens up about her diagnosis and her lingering heartache…
After so much sadness – including the death of her beloved husband, Brian, to skin cancer in 2007, and her sister, Bernie, in 2013 – things were looking up for Linda Nolan.
She had a facelift, realised she could be open to romance again and was preparing for a big tour. But life had other ideas, and the 59-year-old suffered a heavy fall last March that left her hospitalised for three weeks. This led to her being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.
Despite her fears about the future, bubbly Linda is determined to savour every precious moment and has charted her highs and lows in a moving autobiography entitled From My Heart…
Hi, Linda. How are you feeling?
I’m living for the moment. I don’t know how long I’ve got left, but women can live with this for 15 years.
Did your diagnosis change how you live life?
The first year was difficult. We’re not over Bernie yet – that still feels raw. I’m scared to death, but I want to be around for as long as possible. I appreciate every day. I’ve been living with my sister, Denise, and her boyfriend, Tom – they’re fantastic.
Do you ever feel bitter?
I turned a corner in 2016. I had my first kiss since Brian died, and didn’t feel guilty. I had my facelift, a big tour coming up, then I fell and everything was on hold. There are people worse off.
Why did you write the book?
My condition is treatable, but not curable. So it felt like the right time to make memories for my nieces and nephews.
Was it emotional?
Absolutely. I’d remember things and laugh out loud. But it was hard revisiting the big losses – my husband, sister and mum.
Was it a healing process, too?
Yes. It has taken me nine years to say that Brian was a functioning alcoholic. I felt like I was betraying him by admitting that, but I wasn’t.
You share some lovely happy memories, too...
Absolutely. Bernie wrote a letter when she was dying, saying, ‘I’ve had a great life.’ I’m the same. I’ve met my heroes, been to fabulous places and done a job I adore.
Do you have any regrets?
Not having children. My career got in the way. My sisters always say, ‘But our kids adore you!’ and I say, ‘ Yeah, but when you walk in the room, you get a smile I’ll never get!’ But I don’t dwell on it, I love being an auntie.
Any burning ambitions?
To fly first class! And I’d love to take my nieces and nephews to Lapland, so they can visit Santa…
From My Heart by Linda Nolan (Pan Macmillan, £18.99) is out on Thursday.
‘It felt like the right time to make memories for my nieces and nephews’