Singer Bernie Nolan dies at 52

Actress and singer Bernie Nolan has died following a long battle with breast cancer. She was 52.

Nolan, who spent 20 years as lead singer of ‘The Nolans’, was first diagnosed in 2010, and had chemotherapy and a mastectomy, receiving an all-clear in 2012.

Bur, months later the disease returned and spread to her brain, bones, lungs and liver, the BBC reported.

The confirmation was made public by a spokesperson for the family.

Nolan was born on 17 October 1960, and she grew up in Ireland, performing as a family troupe with her five sisters and two brothers.

She turned to acting following 20 years fronting the Irish all-girl group and a string of hits including 1979’s ‘I’m in the Mood for Dancing’ and ‘Don’t Make Waves.

She later moved into television playing hairdresser Diane Murray in Brookside from 2000-02 and joining ITV's police drama The Bill in 2003, as Sergeant Sheelagh Murphy.

Nolan also wrote about her battle with cancer in her autobiography, released in May.