Nolan Sisters 'devastated' as their mother dies following battle with Alzheimers

The Nolan Sisters were devastated after their mother died following a long battle against Alzheimer's.

Maureen Nolan, 81, who was credited as the success of her singing daughters The Nolans passed away in a nursing home.

A spokesperson for her TV presenter daughter Coleen, 42, said: "Although her mother's death wasn't unexpected, it's still been shocking for her."

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Coleen is taking time off work to spend with her family and has postponed her return to ITV talk show Loose Woman.

Earlier last year she opened her heart about her mother's fight against the disease which left her unable to recognise her family in the latter stages.

Coleen said: "Her mind has deteriorated so much that she is barely recognisable as the woman I grew up adoring. I can't stand to see her like this, she has no quality of life."

Born in Dublin, mother-of-eight Maureen trained as a soprano at the Royal Irish Academy and had her own singing career.

Son Brian added yesterday: "Mum was our guiding light."

Maureen developed the family's act which saw all 10 on stage together. Later the five elder girls formed the Nolans in the 1970s.