IRISH singer and actress Bernie Nolan has died aged 52 after a long battle with cancer.
The former lead vocalist of The Nolans passed away peacefully at her home this morning
In 2010 she had been told that she was clear of breast cancer but last year doctors discovered it had spread to her brain, lungs, liver and bones.
A spokeswoman said this afternoon: "Bernie passed away peacefully this morning with all of her family around her.
“The entire family are devastated to have lost beloved Bernie, a wonderful wife, adoring mother and loving sister; she is irreplaceable.
"They kindly ask people to respect their privacy at this difficult time."
Nolan and her sisters Coleen, Denise, Anne, Maureen and Linda shot to fame in 1979 with their worldwide hit, I'm In The Mood For Dancing.
Selling millions of copies worldwide, they went on to enjoy success with songs such as Don't Make Waves, Attention To Me and Gotta Pull Myself Together.
Bernie Nolan was born in Ireland and grew up performing with her family in pubs and clubs at night as a family troupe.
She once said: "It got to the stage where they didn't talk about whether the new baby was going to be a boy or a girl, but whether they could sing."
Nolan quit The Nolans in 1994 to focus on her solo career.
But the group reunited in 2009 without two of the sisters – Denise and Anne – for a sell-out British reunion tour.
Nolan also enjoyed an acting career, with credits included Diane Murray in Channel 4 soap Brookside.
On stage, she also performed in Blood Brothers, Flashdance The Musical and the British tour of Chicago The Musical in 2012.
Nolan, who married drummer Steve Doneathy in 1996, was the third Nolan sister to have cancer.
As well as her husband she leave behind one daughter, Erin, who was born in 1999.
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See More: Bernie Nolan, Irish In Britain, The Nolans
