Linda Nolan (born 23 February 1959) is an Irish singer, actress and television personality.[1] After moving with her family to Blackpool at the age of three in 1962, she attained fame as a member of the girl group The Nolans in 1974, along with her sisters Anne, Denise, Maureen, Bernie and Coleen. As a member of the Nolans, Linda toured with Frank Sinatra in 1975, won the Tokyo Music Festival in 1981, and had seven UK top 20 hits between 1979 and 1982.
Linda Nolan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 February 1959 Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress, author, television personality |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Television | Top of the Pops Celebrity Big Brother UK Loose Women |
| Spouse |
Brian Hudson
(m. 1981; died 2007) |
| Family | Anne Nolan (sister) Denise Nolan (sister) Maureen Nolan (sister) Bernie Nolan (sister) Coleen Nolan (sister) Jake Roche (nephew) |
| Website | www |
Soon after leaving the group, Linda Nolan supported Gene Pitney on his 1984 UK tour. She then went on to perform in theatre, including an eight-season residency as Maggie May on Blackpool's Central Pier (1986–93), where she clocked up over 1,000 performances, followed by two seasons as Rosie O'Grady on Blackpool's South Pier (1994–95). She reunited with the Nolans for the 2009 I'm in the Mood Again album and tour, and in 2014, she took part in the 13th series of Celebrity Big Brother. In 2018, she was a recurring guest panellist on Loose Women.
Early life
editLinda Nolan was born in Holles Street Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, the sixth of eight children born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan.[1] The family lived in Raheny, a suburb of Dublin, before moving to Blackpool in 1962,[1] at which point Tommy and Maureen formed the Singing Nolans of which Linda was a member.[1] She went to school at Blackpool's St Catherine's Catholic Secondary School, and also attended The Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford, West London.[2]
Career
editSinging career
editIn 1981, Linda scored a minor hit with her sister Coleen as part of the Young & Moody Band, with "Don't Do That" (UK No. 63) which also featured Lemmy from Motörhead and Cozy Powell.[3]
Linda left The Nolans in December 1983 and quickly gained the label "Naughty Nolan" due to her posing in risqué publicity photos.[1][4] The Nolans reunited as a five-piece (Bernie, Anne, Coleen, Maureen and Linda) for one-off performances of "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" first for BBC One's All Time Greatest Party Songs, hosted by Tess Daly, which aired on 17 December 2005[5] and again on 9 August 2007 on Loose Women.[6]
Four of the sisters (Linda, Bernie, Coleen & Maureen) reunited in 2009 for a successful tour of the UK and Ireland. They also released an album I'm in the Mood Again, which reached No. 22 on the UK Albums Chart.[7]
Musicals
editOn leaving the group, Linda Nolan went on to play the role of Maggie May at Blackpool's Central Pier for eight summer seasons (1986–93), clocking up more than 1,000 performances.[8] She then starred for two seasons in a similar show on Blackpool's South Pier called Rosie O' Grady's (1994–95).
From 1996 to 1997, she starred as the prison governor in two UK tours of Prisoner: Cell Block H – The Musical, alongside Paul O'Grady.[9]
From 2000, Linda Nolan starred as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years in the West End, and regularly played the role in the UK touring production until 2008. She was the third Nolan sister to play the role, after Bernie and Denise. Maureen Nolan has also since played the role in the West End on the UK tour for several years,[10] earning the sisters a place in the Guinness World Records, as the most siblings to play the same role in a musical.[11]
Other
editLinda Nolan has also appeared on Blankety Blank,[12] with sister Anne and niece Alex on Celebrity Pressure Pad[13] and with sister Bernie on Pointless Celebrities.[14]
Celebrity Big Brother
editIn January 2014, Linda Nolan participated in the thirteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother. Prior to this, her sister Coleen had participated in and achieved second place in the tenth series.[15]
Upon learning that she was to be handcuffed, Linda confirmed her "Naughty Nolan" nickname by saying "I like a bit of bondage".[16]
Jim Davidson, who was also a contestant in the house that year has history with Linda Nolan; in 1995, Nolan's husband Brian Hudson was caught red-handed stealing money from comic Frank Carson's dressing room at the South Pier Theatre Blackpool. This raised the ire of Davidson, who was playing up the road at the time and promptly lost his temper, yelling "no one steals from my mates" and threatened to punch him. Davidson was promptly thrown out of that nightclub.[17] On Day 15, Nolan was reminded by Davidson of his antics, prompting an argument.[18] She was evicted on Day 22.[19]
Personal life
editNolan met Brian Hudson in 1979 and they married in 1981. He was the Nolans' tour manager until 1983 and became Linda's manager after she left the group. They were married for 26 years until his death on 21 September 2007, from liver failure.[20]
On 7 July 2014, Linda Nolan claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Rolf Harris in 1975 while The Nolans were supporting Harris in a tour of South Africa.[21]
Health
editIn 2005, Linda Nolan was diagnosed with breast cancer. As part of her treatment, she underwent a single mastectomy in 2006.[22] She was given the all-clear from cancer in 2011. In 2007, she was diagnosed with cellulitis and lymphedema in her arm.[20]
In 2017, Nolan fell on her hip and was taken to hospital, where doctors discovered a form of incurable secondary breast cancer on her pelvis.[23] She began undergoing regular radiotherapy treatment to make sure that the cancer would not spread, but has said that she would reject chemotherapy if the cancer was found to be terminal, after seeing how her sister Bernie was in pain from her chemotherapy shortly before Bernie's death in 2013.[24][25] In 2020 Nolan stated that the cancer had spread to her liver.[22] On 27 March 2023, Linda stated that the cancer had now metastasised to her brain, with a tumour discovered on the left side of her brain, resulting in balance loss on her right side, which has led to her using a wheelchair.[26] She was prescribed the experimental drug Tucatinib to treat her brain cancer followed by Enhertu.[27][22]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Singing Nolans |
|
| 1975 | The Nolan Sisters |
|
| 1978 | 20 Giant Hits |
|
| 1979 | Nolan Sisters |
|
| 1980 | Making Waves |
|
| 1982 | Portrait |
|
| 2009 | I'm in the Mood Again |
|
EPs and mini-albums
edit| Title | Details | Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Singing Nolans (Silent Night) |
|
1972 |
| Dancing Sisters |
|
1980 |
| Greatest Original Hits – 4 Track E.P. |
|
1983 |
Singles
edit| Single | Year |
|---|---|
| "Blackpool" (as the Singing Nolans) | 1972 |
| "But I Do" (as the Nolan Sisters) | 1974 |
| "(Won't You) Make a Little Sunshine Shine" (as Nolan Sisters) | 1975 |
| "Rain" (as the Nolan Sisters) | 1976 |
| "Thanks for Calling" (as Nolan Sisters) | |
| "When You Are a King" (as the Nolan Sisters) | |
| "Love Transformation" (as Nolan Sisters) | 1977 |
| "Love Bandit" (as Nolan Sisters) | |
| "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (as the Nolan Sisters) | 1978 |
| "Harry My Honolulu Lover" (as Nolan Sisters) | 1979 |
| "Spirit, Body and Soul" (as Nolan Sisters) | |
| "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" | |
| "Don't Make Waves" | 1980 |
| "Gotta Pull Myself Together" | |
| "Who's Gonna Rock You" | |
| "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (Japan-only release) | 1981 |
| "Attention to Me" | |
| "Sexy Music" (Japan-only release) | |
| "Chemistry" | |
| "Don't Love Me Too Hard" | |
| "Crashing Down" | 1982 |
| "Dragonfly" | |
| "Dressed to Kill" | 1983 |
Filmography
edit| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1974 | It's Cliff Richard! | Performer | Series regular |
| 1979 | Mike Yarwood In Persons | Performer | Series regular |
| 1979–82 | Top of the Pops | Performer | 15 episodes |
| 1984–89 | Blankety Blank | Panellist | 7 episodes |
| 1999 | Never Mind the Buzzcocks | Mystery guest | 1 episode |
| 2003 | We Are Family | Contributor | Documentary |
| 2004 | Saturday Night Takeaway | Herself | 1 episode |
| 2005 | All Time Greatest Party Songs | Performer | 1 episode |
| 2009 | The Paul O'Grady Show | Performer | 1 episode |
| 2009 | The Nolans: In the Mood For Dancing | Herself | Documentary |
| 2009 | The Late Late Show | Performer | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Come Dine With Me | Participant | 5 episodes |
| 2010–12 | The One Show | Reporter | 3 episodes |
| 2012–14 | Big Brother's Bit on the Side | Panellist | 13 episodes |
| 2014 | Celebrity Big Brother | Participant | 24 episodes |
| Most Shocking Celebrity Moments | Contributor | Documentary | |
| 2016 | The Seven O'Clock Show | Guest | 1 episodes |
| 2018 | The Wright Stuff | Panellist | 2 episodes |
| 2006–18 | Lorraine | Guest | 7 episodes |
| 2007, 2018 | Loose Women | Guest/Performer/Panellist | 20 episodes |
| 2018–19 | Jeremy Vine | Panellist | 3 episodes |
Selected theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–93 | Maggie May's | Title role | Central Pier, Blackpool |
| 1994–95 | Rosie O'Grady's | Title role | South Pier, Blackpool |
| 1996–97 | Prisoner Cell Block H: The Musical | Prison Governor | UK tour |
| 2000–08 | Blood Brothers | Mrs. Johnstone | West End (2000–03) / UK tour (2003–08) |
| 2015–16 | Menopause The Musical | The Soap Star | Irish & UK tours |
| 2016 | Rumpy Pumpy! | Madame Holly Spencer | Union Theatre, London |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Larkin, Colin (1998). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music 3rd Edition Volume V: Louvin, Charlie-Paul, Clarence. London: Macmillan. p. 3969. ISBN 0-333-74134-X.
- ^ Bassam Mahfouz (10 November 1997). "Steve Pound MP for Ealing North... Maiden Speech". Stevepound.org. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ^ Guinness World Records British Hit Singles 14th Edition. London: Guinness World Records. 2001. p. 482. ISBN 0-85156-156-X.
- ^ Cummins, Fiona (9 February 2006). "Exclusive: Linda: I'll Beat Breast Cancer". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
- ^ Daly, Tess (presenter) (17 December 2005). All Time Greatest Party Songs (Television program). England: BBC One.
- ^ "Loose Women". 11. Episode 149. 2007.
- ^ "NOLANS | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
- ^ "Nolan sister Linda still gets scared on stage". This Is Worcestershire. 15 September 2000. Archived from the original on 12 January 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
- ^ Dealey, Justin (11 May 2005). "Linda's in the mood for Blood Brothers!". BBC News. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
- ^ "Willy Russell - Blood Brothers - The Actors". Willyrussell.com. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
- ^ "Most siblings to play same role in a musical". Guinness World Records. 11 April 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ Blankety Blank. Season 7. Episode 11. 30 November 1984. BBC.
- ^ Celebrity Pressure Pad. BBC1. 1 September 2014.
- ^ Pointless Celebrities. 20 December 2012. BBC One.
- ^ "Coleen Nolan housemate profile – Celebrity Big Brother 2012". Bbspy.co.uk. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Celebrity Big Brother 2014: Meet the House Mates". International Business Times. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ Emily Hewett (18 January 2014). "Celebrity Big Brother 2014: Jim Davidson threatened Linda Nolan's husband – the 'night from hell' in Frank Carson's dressing room finally explained". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ^ McNally, Kelby. "Linda Nolan in tears after row with Jim Davidson over 'Frank Carson's dressing room' | Showbiz". The Daily Express. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
- ^ "Day 22". Celebrity Big Brother 13. Channel 5. 24 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Linda Nolan: nightmare struggle since my husband died". The Belfast Telegraph. 23 June 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ Chris Johnston. "Vanessa Feltz and Linda Nolan reveal assaults by Rolf Harris | UK news". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ a b c "Linda Nolan to start new cancer drug after brain tumours stop responding to treatment". Sky News. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "Linda Nolan breaks down as she opens up about 'incurable' cancer diagnosis". Uk.news.yahoo.com. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "Linda Nolan opens up about painful radiotherapy cancer treatment". Hellomagazine.com. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "Linda Nolan Is Planning One Big Final Party After Turning Down Chemotherapy For Terminal Cancer". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ Paton, Ryan; Retter, Emily (22 April 2023). "One thing Linda Nolan doesn't want to know amid cancer battle". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ Sachdeva, Maanya (26 April 2023). "Linda Nolan shares health update after cancer diagnosis". The Independent. Retrieved 15 June 2024.