ON GOING FOR PLASTIC SURGERY When I look in the mirror I see a sad, worn out picture of grief. That’s why I’m having a facelift
SUNDAY MIRROR
service station. Then my sisters are up for pampering me as I recover.”
Linda loves the look of Sharon Osbourne, one of the earliest celebrities to openly go under the knife. But unlike The X Factor judge, she insists this facial surgery will be a one-off.
She goes on: “I want it to last for more than a decade. And I won’t be having anything else done because I don’t want to look like anyone else, I just want to look like myself again and keep working as long as I can. In my head I am still 28.
“I would hate people to think I am vain. I know there is more to life than the way you look. I was tempted to keep it quiet and hope people just thought I looked well, but hopefully I can help others by talking about it.”
The star has battled severe depression and even contemplated suicide since losing Brian, her sister Bernie to breast cancer in 2013 and her parents.
Her depression is now on an even keel after extensive help. But just a few months ago she told how she felt guilty at the thought of moving on from her late husband, who died from skin cancer aged just 60 in 2007.
They were married 26 years but while he will always remain the love of her life, Linda has also had a breakthrough, in the form of a spontaneous festive kiss.
She confides excitedly: “An old friend lives abroad and asked me out for a dinner, it wasn’t a date as such.
“We had a lovely meal and a couple of bottles of wine and at the end of the night we kissed. He asked me back to his hotel but I didn’t want that. A kiss
was more than enough, I’m not that kind of girl. Instead I got on the Tube with a big smile on my face. Best of all I didn’t feel guilty. It was lovely.
“And I know Brian would be looking down saying: ‘ Good on you girl’. I’d forgotten what that feeling was like.”
THRILLED
Linda declines to name the mystery man but reveals he is in showbiz circles and first met him in London when she was performing in the Nolans.
Her sisters were thrilled and keen for her to see her suitor again, but Linda is happy to sit back and see what happens.
She explains: “No one will ever come near or replace my Brian. I’ve accepted I’ve had the love of my life, but I’m ready for a companion. It would be nice to go to the movies with someone other than my sisters, or to have someone on my arm when everyone else is in couples.
“The thought of dating again horrifies me though, I just want someone nice to walk in and be there for me.”
Linda remains close to Brian’s children from a previous relationship, Lloyd and Sarah, and says they have always been hugely supportive of her moving on.
“The only person stopping me has been myself,” she adds.
Linda was unable to work after losing Brian but now has several exciting projects lined up.
She has previously spoken of financial troubles and smiles: “I’ve saved up for this op and Brian would be so impressed.
“All the things that I’ve been through, losing my mum and dad, Brian and Bernie, having cancer, I wanted to do something for me.”
It will take several weeks for her face to settle down, but she will at least have plenty of entertainment while she’s resting – thanks to Coleen doing Celebrity Big Brother. Linda had been in the house in 2014 herself and is thrilled Coleen, who has been having marriage troubles with Ray, has gone back in as one of the “all stars” from the 2012 series.
The sisters are all watching the show together and Linda admits it was “horrendous” seeing Coleen cry on TV.
While Loose Women panellist Coleen is struggling with all the drama, Linda really is in the mood for dancing again.
“I have my passion for life back and I can’t wait to get going,” she says.
“This facelift will start off my year, this is my time. Thank God people want me again, it’s amazing how much the audience still love us Nolans. I’m working back to back and it was a struggle to get the time off to recover.
“As Bernie used to say: ‘ We all want to all grow old disgracefully’. I just don’t want to look old while I’m doing it.”
When Coleen sees my new face she’ll have a few choice words, then be supportive LINDA NOLAN ON KEEPING OP SECRET FROM HER TV STAR SIS