Beloved Irish singer Linda Nolan – a member of the celebrated Nolan Sisters group – has opened up about her struggle with incurable breast cancer.
Since 2006, Linda, 61, has suffered with incurable secondary breast cancer, which has since spread to her liver.
Now, while undergoing treatment in Blackpool Victoria Hospital in the UK, she has spoken frankly about the difficulties of living with a serious illness as the world battles to stave off the effects of Covid-19.
Linda told Lancashire Live that chemotherapy has left her immune system "completely depleted" – a serious issue for many with underlying medical conditions as the virus continues to infect millions across the world.
She's currently living with sister Denise, who says getting vaccinated for the flu was a "no-brainer" given Linda's medical vulnerability.
The pair – members of a band often hailed as Ireland's "First Family of Music", with smash hits including "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" – have been living together for months amid Linda's ongoing treatment.
The pop supremo says her relationship with Denise has "got stronger since I've been here", adding: "It must be awful for somebody isolating on their own, because your mind runs riot.
"The days are just endless.
"But we have been lucky and we've been able to do a little bit of filming for a new TV series that we've got coming up – at Home With The Nolans – so that enabled us to at least get out and see the others and get fresh air."
Linda gets counselling every fortnight – something she says "really helps" amid the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic and the mental toll that self-isolation can exert on a person.
"It's things that you take for granted and then you get a little bit scared because you think, 'Oh I've got to be so careful, though, because of Covid and flu and everything.'"
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