MAUREEN Nolan has watched in admiration at how her sister Bernie has confronted her battle with terminal cancer.
Maureen is a member of the pop group the Nolans who rose to fame in the Eighties and are best known for their song I’m in the Mood for Dancing.
She is starring as Mrs Johnstone in the touring production of Blood Brothers, which comes to the Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff, next week.
Her sister Bernie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and underwent treatment. In 2012 the cancer had returned and this time spread to her brain, lungs, liver and bones.
In February this year she was told she only had two weeks to live, but she remains positive.

Here,  Maureen talks to LOUISE HOWESON

"Bernie’s diagnosis has been like a horror story. But she makes it easy for us because she is so amazing.

I think maybe we would fall apart if she wasn’t so positive. Bernie is making the most of the time she has left and gets herself up and out with her husband. It is up to us to do the same and make the most out of life.

She was told she had two weeks to live in February and she is still here. It can’t be easy and she says she drags herself out because what else is she going to do?

She says ‘do I get up and live or stay in and die?’ Growing up in a band we have all been grafters and we all like hard work. Bernie more than anyone. She was working solidly up until the point when she couldn’t anymore.

She was in the Chicago tour and then went straight into panto. As a family we have lived our life in the public eye and sometimes it has been intrusive. However it has not felt that way with Bernie’s illness because of the overwhelming positive support from people.

She gets hundreds of card sent to her every day. It restores your faith in humanity. You see the vast majority of people are good, hardworking loving people.

She‘ll get cards addressed to ‘Bernie, Weybridge’ and they still make it to her. Bernie is my hero. I am so proud of her in every way. I am currently playing Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers. It is a part I know like the back of my hand.

I played the role in the West End in 2005 and 2007 and I have seen it countless times. It is a real pleasure to be in because the cast are so fantastic and always give 100 per cent. It also means there is pressure to keep the standard high.

My sisters Bernie, Linda and Denise played Mrs Johnstone and we all gave it our own stamp.

They weren’t mothers at the time and so maybe I bring a maternal edge. Family is very important to me. I have one son and two grand-daughters, three, and two, who live nearby and see them a lot."

With showbusiness you have to embrace spontaneity. You never really know what’s around the corner.

I have 50 per cent hearing loss in my right ear. I launched the Specsavers’ Sound Barrier Star Awards, to celebrate achievement by people with hearing loss. 

 Blood Brothers runs at the Cliffs Pavilion, from Monday June 3, until Saturday, June 8, at 8pm. Wednesday and Saturday matinee 2.30pm. Tickets £20.50-£33.50 from the box office on 01702 351135.