THE NOLANS
Coleen’s message of hope as sisters fight cancer
CELEBRITY fans swamped Linda and Anne Nolan with messages of support after they revealed they are both battling cancer again.
The sisters, from pop group the Nolans, began chemotherapy at the same hospital a few weeks ago.
They received their shock diagnoses within days of each other, after returning from filming reality show The Nolans Go Cruising in March.
The Nolan Sisters’ official Twitter account confirmed: “Linda and Anne have been battling cancer and chemotherapy together. We will get through this together, as a family.”
Their sister Bernie died from cancer in 2013 aged 52.
Yesterday youngest sister Coleen, 55, who helps host Loose Women, urged fans to keep Linda, 61, and Anne, 69, “in your thoughts”, adding: “They have beaten it before – they can beat it again.”
Children’s TV presenter and singer Cheryl Baker tweeted: “Sending so much love, light and positivity to Linda and Anne Nolan.
“You are amazing women and the strength from your family, friends and fans will see you through, I’m sure.” Fellow Bucks Fizz star Jay Aston wrote: “Saying prayers for you both. Keep strong you can do this! God bless xx.” Former BBC Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry wrote: “I send you so many best wishes and all my love. I truly hope all becomes well.
“Your sister Bernie was so very, very kind to me many years ago and I will never forget her. Beautiful, kind lady.”
Emmerdale actress Samantha Giles said: “So brave and beautiful xx sending love xx.” Mis-Teeq singer Sabrina Washington said:
“Bless you Linda and Anne, you look beautiful. Sending infinite love and prayer to you both.”
Sky Sports News presenter Jacquie Beltrao, who recently revealed her breast cancer had returned, wrote: “Very sad to hear this girls. I was also diagnosed with breast cancer again in lockdown.
“My chemo should finish mid Sept. I feel your pain Xx.” Anne, 69, was given her stage-three breast cancer diagnosis in April – 20 years after she was first diagnosed with the disease.
Her sister Linda, 61, was told she has incurable liver cancer days later.
She battled breast cancer in 2006, lymphoedema in her arm in 2007 and secondary cancer on her pelvis in 2017.
The two sisters started chemotherapy again on the same day, June 5, at Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital. Speaking of the moment they shared their diagnoses, Linda said: “We laughed and we cried really, it’s hysterical.”
Then, in a reference to a techno music act, she quipped: “Forget the Chemical Brothers, we’ve become the Chemo Sisters!”
Mum-of-two Anne said: “I don’t want to die. I love my life so much. I love my daughters, my grandchildren, my friends, all my family. I want to live for as long as I possibly can.”
Linda admitted she thought her scans “would be just fine as they normally are” before her oncologist said she needed a liver scan.
The call with the result came just half an hour after sister Maureen contacted her to say Anne’s breast cancer had returned.
Linda said: “I couldn’t tell anyone then because they were so obviously devastated about Anne. I thought, ‘I can’t turn around and say, ‘Actually I’ve got it back as well!’”
She said of her hair loss due to chemo, “I look in the mirror now and I see Bernie.We’re so alike anyway and it just brings back all of her trauma and how sick she was.”
Maureen, 66, has moved in with Anne, and Linda has relocated to 68-year-old Denise’s home, while they get treatment. Anne is due a mastectomy or lumpectomy, followed by radiotherapy.