Linda Nolan has opened up about the events of the last few months, revealing that she was the victim of a hoaxer, who pretended to be a victim of the Manchester bombing.
The attack took place after an Ariana Grande concert back in May, and in the week that followed Linda was contacted online by someone posing as the family of a fan, asking the star to send her best wishes.
Explaining what went through her mind when she received the first request, Linda told the Mirror: “My emotions were very high at the time. I was trying to deal with myself and the anniversary of my sister Bernie’s death was coming up, so I just thought, ‘It’s nice to be nice’.
Linda and “Emily” then stayed in contact and the former ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ housemate “confided in her and we formed a strong bond”.
“I wanted to help her and I thought we had a connection. But it turned out I had been fed a pack of lies. It’s very hurtful and sinister,” she said. “I am going through my own troubles trying to deal with my treatment so this is the last thing I need.”
Linda realised that she had been duped when she received a text stating that Emily had died, on the very morning she planned to visit her in hospital for the first time.
Her suspicions were then confirmed when there was no official announcement confirming that the death toll had risen.
Linda is currently receiving treatment for incurable cancer. Speaking in April, she opened up about her diagnosis during an appearance on ‘Loose Women’.
Sat alongside sister Coleen, Linda told viewers about the treatment ahead.
She said: “I’m going to have injections I think into my bones to strengthen my bones and then have a blast of radiotherapy and then I’ll have intravenous drugs to fight the cancer. I don’t have to have chemo this time which is a big relief.
“It’s very, very daunting. Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely devastated. I was devastated because I feel so bad for my family having to go through it all again.
“They’ve been amazing. Everybody.”