Linda Nolan's message to Chris Hoy as both battle terminal cancer

Linda Nolan has shared her admiration for Olympian Sir Chris Hoy, following his terminal cancer diagnosis. Linda, who has incurable breast cancer, admires the cycling champ's bravery and expresses how shocking it is when 'someone so physically fit' has been told they have just two to four years to live

Linda Nolan has sent a message of support to Sir Chris Hoy after his terminal cancer diagnosis. The Olympic cycling legend revealed that he had two to four years to live as a result of prostate cancer spreading to the rest of his body.

Mirror columnist Linda, 65, told her breast cancer was incurable in 2017, is ‘bald once more’ after having her hair shaved off, and says ‘acceptance is the key’.

“I was devastated to read about Sir Chris Hoy’s terminal cancer diagnosis,” she said. “When someone so physically fit and strong is told they have just two to four years to live, it seems particularly shocking. But of course cancer doesn’t work that way. Now it’s his incredible mental strength which seems to be helping him."

With the support of his psychologist, it sounds like he’s trained his mind to live in the moment as much as he can, and to accept death is natural. “He seems to have rigorously drilled himself to grasp that sense of perspective with all the focus he’d have used as a sportsman." She added: “I’m no Olympian (and you need a brain in order to train it!), so I’m in awe of his approach.”

Sir Chris, 48, told the Sunday Times: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature. You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process. Hand on heart, I’m pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It’s bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy.”

Linda said that she completely agreed with trying to ‘live in the moment’. She added: “I’ve tried to repeat that mantra to myself. And hey, get me around a bingo table and I’m quite the Olympian too!”

Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Her sister Bernie died from breast cancer aged 52 in 2013. In March 2017, Linda was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer which was identified after it had spread to her hip, following a fall.

Doctors said they did not think it could be cured - and by May 2020 the cancer had spread to her liver. Previously she has heartbreakingly admitted she does not know how much time she has left.

Last year, Linda shared the news that the cancer had spread to her brain, with two tumours discovered which left her struggling with her speech and balance. In August, she revealed the devastating news that two of her largest tumours had grown in size, while further cancer spots had been found.