Linda Nolan on why this festive season will be extra special
WORDS: ARIANA LONGSON.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Linda Nolan was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2006. It returned as a secondary breast cancer in her hip in 2017 and spread to her liver in 2020. In March this year doctors told her it had spread to her brain. Despite a difficult year, the singer is as positive about her future as she is practical. In an emotional interview Linda, 64, heartbreakingly tells us that she may not see Christmas next year. Explaining how much she enjoys the festive period, she says this year is important, confessing, ‘I want to make memories and enjoy the time I have left.’
Hi Linda, how are you doing?
I’m OK, thank you. I’m getting along, doing the best I can. You’ve got to try and stay positive with things.
Can you update us on your health?
My cancer has now spread to my brain and is incurable but I have chemotherapy every three weeks to manage it. It’s scary that it’s spreading – it’s had a right joyride around my body – but I’m just trying to keep positive and I’ve got great support with my family and great friends.
How do you stay so upbeat?
When I wake up, I try to think it’s another day to enjoy, not it’s another day closer. Sometimes it’s hard but I never want cancer to win.
If I start moping about, lying in bed all day and not going out, then cancer has won. But at the moment I’m putting up a good fight. Considering I’ve been suffering since 2006 it’s been a long haul but I’m still here and able to do things. You can’t live your life worrying what might happen.
Don’t get me wrong, everybody has a down day and sometimes I slide down the wall and cry my eyes out because I’m having a bad day, but 99.9% of the time I’m OK. I’ve had counselling as well, which has saved my life at times. I know what the result is going to be eventually, but for now I’m hoping I’ll make Christmas or not be too ill.
What are your plans for Christmas?
At the moment 17 of us are all going to eat at a restaurant. We’ll be up very early – Christmas Day is the only time I’ll voluntarily get up at 8am because Santa’s been. We all gather at Denise and her partner Tom’s house and it looks like a toy shop with all the presents – it’s fabulous. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, always has been, always will be. To have everybody together is brilliant.
What will it mean to you this year?
