Bernadette Therese "Bernie" Nolan (17 October 1960 – 4 July 2013) was an Irish actress, singer and television personality, formerly lead vocalist of the girl group The Nolans. She was the second youngest of sisters Anne, Denise, Maureen, Linda and Coleen Nolan. From the age of two, she was raised in Blackpool, Lancashire, England.She was a member of the Nolans from 1974-1995. They had three UK top ten hits, "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" (1979), "Gotta Pull Myself Together" (1980) and "Attention to Me" (1981), all with Bernie on lead vocals. They also won the 1981 Tokyo Music Festival with "Sexy Music". Four of the sisters (Bernie, Coleen, Linda and Maureen) reformed for a successful 2009 tour of the UK and Ireland.As an actress, she had roles on television in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside from 2000-2002 and the ITV police drama The Bill from 2002-2005. She also had numerous roles in stage musicals, including Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers (1998-2000), Hannah Owens in Flashdance: The Musical (2008-2009) and Mama Morton in Chicago (2012).
Was originally scheduled to play Cora in the UK tour of "Calendar Girls" from October to December 2010 but was replaced by Michelle Collins following her breast cancer diagnosis, instead deciding to participate in the tour at a later date in January 2011.
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Announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and would undergo a mastectomy as it has spread to her lymph nodes (23 April 2010).
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Returned to work 3 months after giving birth to her daughter Erin in order to resume performing in "Blood Brothers" on stage.
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Was 5 months pregnant with her daughter Erin when she took maternity leave from performing in "Blood Brothers" on stage.
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Delivered her daughter Erin via emergency Caesarean section after the umbilical cord became wrapped around the baby's neck.
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Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 38, a daughter Erin Kate Doneathy on 26 April 1999. Child's father is her husband, Steve Doneathy.
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Her husband Steve wrote the song "Better Place" in memory of their daughter, and also gave their 2nd daughter Erin her name as a middle name.
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Gave birth to her 1st child at age 37, a stillborn daughter Kate Doneathy in May 1998. Child's father is her husband, Steve Doneathy.
$250,000
