Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan breaks down in tears as she opens up about sister Linda’s cancer battle
COLEEN Nolan broke down in tears during today’s Loose Women as she opened up about sister Linda’s latest cancer diagnosis.
Linda, 64, appeared on Good Morning Britain on Monday to share the heartbreaking news that her cancer has now spread to her brain.
Speaking on the Loose Women panel, Coleen, 58, said: “Linda’s had cancer since 2005. It’s her strength and will to live, she’s just so strong all the time and it makes the rest of us strong.
“It was a big shock on Monday when she told us that was the diagnosis, she’s had incurable cancer for a while but it’s always been treatable.”
Coleen continued: “Very sadly she told us it had gone to the brain, which normally would be, ‘Ok we’ve only got a certain amount of time’, but she told us a new drug has been developed.
“It’s only been out a year but it’s showing great signs so they’ve put her on that.”
Praising her sister for managing to stay positive throughout everything, she said: “You hear her talk and she’s positive so it makes you stronger.”
But it all became too much for the singer as Coleen ended up in tears, added: “This time I haven’t cried because I’ve felt really numb.
“I’m so sick of it – it just attacks my family, I know a lot of people go through it. I’m scared of crying because I don’t think I’ll stop, but I’m gonna cry now so can we move on.”
Linda, who first found fame in 1974 with her sisters in pop group The Nolans, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005 and given the all-clear the next year.
But in March 2017, she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer which was identified after it spread to her hip, following a fall.
Doctors confirmed they could see no cure – and in May 2020 that it had also spread to her liver.
Her sister Bernie died from breast cancer aged 52 in 2013 after it had spread to her brain, lungs, liver and bones.
Linda’s husband Brian also died from skin cancer in 2007.
Linda revealed on GMB today she’s set to undergo radiotherapy after being given the diagnosis a week ago.
She said: “I’ve always been open about my treatment and people have been getting in touch asking what’s going on.
“I want to tell you, sadly for me, my cancer has spread to my brain.
“It’s very frightening. There isn’t much help for brain cancer.
“But I’m not giving up, I’m positive.”
Linda said she was given the diagnosis after suffering three nasty falls as she struggled with her balance.
She is now living with her sister Denise and being supported by her family, including Coleen.
“It’s a scary trip to be on,” Linda admitted.
“It’s about making the most of every day and being positive. I’ve beaten it before so hopefully I can do it again.”