Coleen Nolan has opened up about the harsh criticism she received on social media after smiling at her late sister Linda’s funeral. 

The Loose Women star, 59, revealed she was “slated” online for her expression 

as she stepped out of the funeral car to greet the thousands of mourners who had gathered to pay their respects.

Linda Nolan tragically passed away in January at the age of 65 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

She was laid to rest on February 1 in Blackpool, Lancashire, where family, friends, and devoted fans came together to honor her memory. 

While Coleen’s smile was meant as a gesture of appreciation, some online critics misinterpreted it as inappropriate for the occasion, prompting her to address the backlash publicly.

Coleen’s Response to the Criticism

During Monday’s episode of Loose Women, Coleen spoke candidly about the hurtful comments she received after the funeral. She emphasized that grief is deeply personal and that no one should be judged for how they cope with loss.

“We’ve got to stop judging how people deal with grief. And I’ve got to stop caring how people are judging me.”

Explaining why she smiled on the day, she continued:

“I got out of the car smiling because there were about 2,000 people there, looking and smiling. And then I got slated on social media. [People were asking] ‘What’s she smiling about?’”

Coleen admitted that the criticism initially affected her, but she later realized that she could not let others dictate how she grieved.

“It bothered me at first, but then I thought, I’ve got to stop caring what people think. We all deal with grief differently.”

She further explained that her smile was not out of place but rather an expression of gratitude toward the thousands of fans who had come to pay tribute to Linda.

“I didn’t want to get out of the car and not acknowledge [the crowd]. I saw all those people, and it made me cry because Linda would have loved it. And I’m so glad they turned out for her.”

Coleen concluded her statement with a firm message to those who criticized her:

“I got out [of the car and smiled] to show my gratitude.”

Fans Rally in Support of Coleen

Following her emotional appearance on Loose Women, Coleen received an outpouring of support from viewers who agreed that grief is a personal journey and that no one should be shamed for how they handle it.

One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“Spot on, grief is personal and individual. There is no right or wrong way. I’ve known people who have literally died of a broken heart.”

Another supporter encouraged Coleen to ignore the negativity:

“Coleen – you do what you want to do.”

Many praised her for her strength in addressing the topic so openly, with some sharing their own experiences of losing loved ones and how different people cope in their own way.

Coleen’s Tribute to Linda’s Strength and Resilience

Throughout Linda’s cancer battle, Coleen frequently spoke about how proud she was of her sister’s unwavering strength and positivity. In a heartfelt interview with The Mirror last year, she shared how Linda continued to smile despite the immense pain she endured.

“Certainly in public, [she always had] a smile on her face. Obviously, there were nights she went to bed and, I only found this out recently, but there were nights she cried and was scared.”

Coleen described how Linda faced chemotherapy with remarkable resilience, even though the treatments were grueling.

“I look at her in awe. She treats chemo like she’s going to Tesco. It keeps coming back and battering her, but she keeps on smiling and still keeps getting out of bed. And she bloody hates it.”

Linda’s incredible bravery and positivity left a lasting impact on those who knew her, and Coleen remains deeply proud of how her sister faced her illness.

Moving Forward

Despite the backlash, Coleen remains steadfast in her belief that grief is unique to each individual. She has made it clear that she will not allow online trolls to dictate how she remembers and honors her sister. Instead, she chooses to focus on the love and support that has surrounded her family during this difficult time.

Linda’s funeral was a celebration of her life, attended by loved ones and fans who admired her strength, talent, and kindness. And as Coleen continues to navigate her grief, she hopes to remind others that there is no “right” way to mourn a loss—only the way that feels true to oneself.

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