Linda Nolan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Linda Nolan
Nolan in 2014
Born	Linda Mary Nolan (1959-02-23)23 February 1959 Dublin, Ireland
Died	15 January 2025(2025-01-15) (aged 65) Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Occupation	Singer actress author television personality
Years active	1974–2025
Television	Top of the Pops Celebrity Big Brother Loose Women
Spouse(s)	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)

Linda Mary Hudson (born Nolan; 23 February 1959 – 15 January 2025) was a talented Irish singer, actress, and TV personality. She became famous as a member of the popular girl group the Nolans.

Linda moved to Blackpool, England, with her family when she was three years old. In 1974, she joined her sisters Anne, Denise, Maureen, Bernie, and Coleen to form The Nolans. The group achieved great success. They even toured with the legendary singer Frank Sinatra in 1975. The Nolans also won the Tokyo Music Festival in 1981. Between 1979 and 1982, they had seven songs that reached the top 20 in the UK music charts.

After leaving the group, Linda Nolan continued her career. She supported singer Gene Pitney on his UK tour in 1984. She also became a successful theatre performer. Linda starred as Maggie May at Blackpool's Central Pier for eight summer seasons, performing over 1,000 shows. Later, she played Rosie O'Grady at Blackpool's South Pier. In 2009, she reunited with The Nolans for their I'm in the Mood Again album and tour. In 2014, Linda was a participant in the 13th series of Celebrity Big Brother. She also appeared as a guest on the TV show Loose Women in 2018.

Early Life and Family

Linda Nolan was born on 23 February 1959. Her birthplace was Holles Street Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. She was the sixth of eight children born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan. The Nolan family lived in Raheny, a suburb of Dublin. In 1962, they moved to Blackpool, England. There, her parents formed a singing group called the Singing Nolans, and Linda was part of it. She attended St Catherine's Catholic Secondary School in Blackpool. She also went to The Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford, west London.

Linda Nolan's Career Highlights

Linda Nolan had a long and varied career in entertainment. She was known for her singing and acting.

Singing with The Nolans

In 1981, Linda and her sister Coleen had a small hit song. It was called "Don't Do That" and was part of the Young & Moody Band. This song reached number 63 in the UK charts. It even featured famous musicians like Lemmy from Motörhead.

Linda left The Nolans group in December 1983. The Nolans reunited for special performances a few times. In 2005, five sisters (Bernie, Anne, Coleen, Maureen, and Linda) performed "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" for a BBC show. They performed it again on Loose Women in 2007.

In 2009, four of the sisters (Linda, Bernie, Coleen, and Maureen) went on a successful tour. They toured the UK and Ireland. They also released an album called I'm in the Mood Again. This album reached number 22 on the UK Albums Chart.

Theatre and Television Roles

After leaving the group, Linda became a popular theatre actress. She played the main role of Maggie May at Blackpool's Central Pier. She performed this role for eight summer seasons, from 1986 to 1993. She completed over 1,000 shows.

From 1996 to 1997, Linda starred in two UK tours of Prisoner: Cell Block H – The Musical. She played the prison governor.

Starting in 2000, Linda played Mrs Johnstone in the musical Blood Brothers. She performed this role for three years in London's West End. She also regularly played the role in the UK touring production until 2008. Linda was the third Nolan sister to play this role. Her sisters Bernie and Denise had played it before her. Later, Maureen Nolan also played Mrs Johnstone. This achievement earned the sisters a place in the Guinness World Records. They were recognized for being the most siblings to play the same role in a musical.

Linda also appeared on several TV game shows. She was on Blankety Blank with her sister Anne. She also appeared on Celebrity Pressure Pad and Pointless Celebrities.

In January 2014, Linda took part in Celebrity Big Brother. Her sister Coleen had also been on the show before.

Personal Life and Health

Linda Nolan met Brian Hudson in 1979. They got married in 1981. Brian was the Nolans' tour manager. After Linda left the group, he became her manager. They were married for 26 years. Brian passed away on 21 September 2007, due to liver failure.

Health Challenges

In 2005, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery in 2006 and was given the all-clear in 2011. In 2007, she was also diagnosed with cellulitis and lymphedema in her arm.

In 2017, Linda had a fall. Doctors then found that her breast cancer had returned and spread to her pelvis. This type of cancer was incurable. She received regular radiotherapy treatment. In 2020, the cancer spread to her liver. On 27 March 2023, she shared that the cancer had spread to her brain. A tumor was found on the left side of her brain, which affected her balance. She began using a wheelchair. She was prescribed special medicines to treat her brain cancer.

Linda Nolan passed away on the morning of 15 January 2025, at the age of 65. She had been admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with double pneumonia and later fell into a coma.

Discography

Filmography

Stage Performances