Mourners have gathered to pay tribute to Irish music legend Linda Nolan at a church at St Paul's Church in Blackpool.
It was announced on January 15 that Nolan had passed away aged 65 following a long battle with cancer.
Coleen and Denise Nolan arrive at the service
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Linda Nolan formed the iconic girl band The Nolans with her sisters Anne, Denise, Maureen, Bernie and Coleen.
Crowds applauded as Nolan's bright pink showbiz coffin was carried into St Paul's church in Blackpool - the same one where she married her husband Brian Hudson in 1981, who died in 2007.
An arrangement of pink and white roses spelt "Linda" in the hearse and the unique casket was adorned with flowers and written messages.
Her surviving sisters, Anne, 74, Denise, 72, Maureen, 71, Bernie and Loose Women star Coleen, 59 were in attendance to say goodbye to their sister.
Actor and comedian Shane Richie, Coleen's ex-husband, was among other famous mourners who gathered to pay their respects.
Maureen and Anne Nolan arrive
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Paul Elliot AKA Paul Chuckle, Charlotte Dawson and Tommy Cannon were also seen making their way into the church.
Faith Hill’s There You’ll Be was played as the service began and Denise took the stage to deliver the eulogy.
"She was the life and soul of the party. Her sense of humour was unlike any other and no party will ever be the same," she began, reports The Mail.
"Linda would always say, "I'm living with cancer not dying of cancer". She didn’t let it rule her life no matter how hard it tried. The hair loss was the worst thing for her when she got it again. And then during Covid she spent a week in hospital alone with no visitors were allowed.
"All of these things would have destroyed a lesser person but Linda wouldn’t allow it.
Nolan's requested bright pink showbiz casket
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"It’s time to rest now Linda, the battle is over you are free," Denise concluded.
One of Nolan's classics, When It's Over, played as her sister finished the eulogy.
Nolan's agent Dermot McNamara confirmed the her death in a statement to the Mirror on January 15.
McNamara said: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan, the celebrated Irish pop legend, television personality, Guinness World Record holding West End star, Sunday Times bestselling author and Daily Mirror columnist.
Shane Richie, the ex-husband of Coleen Nolan, was one of those in attendance
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"She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments.
"Linda's legacy extends beyond her incredible achievements in music and entertainment."
"She was a beacon of hope and resilience, sharing her journey to raise awareness and inspire others. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten," he concluded.
Nolan is best known for being a singer, West End star, TV personality, charity campaigner, author, and a founding member of The Nolans.
Nolan's funeral programme
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During her career, she sold more than 30 million records, performed for ex-US President Gerald Ford, and toured with Frank Sinatra.
The singer decided to use her fame to help others going through the same ordeal as her sister Anne Nolan – who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020.
She received the news of her sister's illness just days after finding out that her own cancer had spread to her liver.
The sisters went through chemotherapy together but while Anne went into remission, Linda's cancer could only ever be slowed down, not cured.
Nolan's coffin leaving the church
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Paul Elliot, one half of the beloved Chuckle Brothers, attended Nolan's sendoff
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