Linda Nolan didn't think she would live until Christmas.
The Nolans star, 65, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005 and last year she revealed a secondary cancer found in her hip in 2017 had spread to her brain and liver and she was convinced she wouldn't survive to see another holiday season - so she's going to make this year extra special.
She told Woman magazine: "I can't wait [for Christmas]. Not to be morbid, but I didn't think I'd make Christmas, so it's a real bonus.
"We love Christmas as a family and we're all going to gather at [sister] Denise's. It will be great. We all have such a good time when we get together so I can't wait. I especially love seeing all the little ones and how excited they get."
Linda went on to admit she's hoping she might be around for Christmas 2025 as well adding: "My Christmas wish is that I’ll be here to see everybody next year as well."
Linda has been undergoing chemotherapy and feels distraught after losing her hair again but the only pain she's suffering is a cramp in her leg.
She said: "I'm having chemo once every three weeks. I have my bloods taken after each time and if they're OK, I have the next round. You have to be careful with chemo. I've lost my hair again - I'm bald for the fifth time and it still gets to me each time.
"I'm distraught when it goes. Pain-wise I get a cramp in my leg which really hurts, but apart from that there's no pain, which is good."
Linda insisted she's not going to give up hope and she really wants to be able to celebrate her 66th birthday in February.
She added: "I think if you lose hope, you lose everything. It’s hard sometimes, but you’ve gotta have the stamina to go: ‘Yeah, I’m not going to lie in bed
feeling sorry for myself.’
"Keeping busy is important as is getting outside. Even if it is sitting outside in your garden in this cold weather getting some fresh air always makes you feel better."
Linda previously revealed she has been battling memory problems but her balance issues have improved and she's no longer getting headaches.
In a column for the Mirror newspaper, she wrote: "My memory seems to be getting worse ... What I haven’t spoken about is the less fabulous moment of that day.
"The moment I had to turn to [sister] Coleen’s son Jake’s girlfriend and ask her what my niece, Coleen’s daughter, is called.
"My memory has been lapsing for a while but that moment was as bad as it has got."
She added: "My balance is still better than it was, I’m not having headaches. I have some scans arranged and I’ll wait for them. "I’m not going to live in fear, because it’ll take over, and I have to concentrate on making the most of now."
