Linda Nolan on how Angela Rippon inspired her new look amid cancer treatment

04 October 2023 , 21:34

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Linda Nolan on how Angela Rippon inspired her new look amid cancer treatment

I have Angela Rippon’s eyebrows. Naturally I wish I had her legs, too, but that’s another matter.

It’s absolutely true. Eyebrows are a frontline defence in the fight against Mr Potato Head when you lose your hair, and so I got mine tattooed for the first time in 2014, and yes, asked for Angela’s. Hers were the eyebrows of my dreams. I first noticed them when she used to read the news, and now here I am watching them glide and gallop across the Strictly ballroom as she performs gobsmackingly. She’s as glamorous as always.

So I’d like to say thank you, Angela, your eyebrows mean more to me than ever today, but also thank you, Strictly. It’s so uplifting to watch people have such a great time. If you’re feeling a bit low it’s the perfect medicine.

Linda Nolan was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer in 2017 (Caroline Sikkenk/Pink Ribbon Foundation)

The singer has been enjoying Angela Rippon take to the dancefloor on Strictly (BBC/Kieron McCarron)

I tried to replicate some of the moves at my best friend’s 60th on Friday. I forgot my stick but it didn’t stop me, I was up there to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, ABBA. I kind of forgot I had cancer, too, until the next day when I could only sleep.

It’s been a week for trying to find balance. And I’ve failed. Cancer may have moved in, we’re flatmates now, but I still rarely get the compromise right. I’m surprised it’s not leaving me notes on the fridge. Last Wednesday, two days after chemo, I went to London for a photoshoot with other women for the Pink Ribbon Foundation, at the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

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Such an amazing day. Some were bald, some had various stages of regrowth like me. Photographer Caroline Sikkenk captured our portraits as part of an exhibition called Bold. I know how devastating I’ve found my hair loss, and these women were inspirational and all looked incredible.

I got home close to midnight and, again, all I could do was sleep the next day. Yes, I’ve overdone it. I know I need to be more careful. But what fun we’ve had, my eyebrows and I!

Linda Nolan