She was bright, feisty, supremely talented and a born entertainer.
Most importantly of all she was a wife and mother and those two roles gave her more satisfaction than all of the hit records, successful tours and acting plaudits. Bernie died on Thursday after a long, hard battle against cancer.
It was one she fought with courage, dignity and bucketloads of humour.
Her family, husband Steve and 14-year-old daughter Erin, were with her until the end and how she fought to stay with them.
I have interviewed Bernie many times over the years and got to know her better when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2010. She came on my show to talk about her illness and we had an overwhelming response to her passion and honesty.
Bernie inspired women and encouraged them not to be scared about going for a scan, and to go straight to the doctors with any changes to their bodies. She undoubtedly saved lives by going public, and her decision to show off her bald head when she lost her hair through chemo proved you can still look gorgeous while undergoing treatment.
Bernie was a real belter of a singer and a fine actress who made her mark in Brookside and The Bill.
Of course we will always remember her as part of the Nolans, and we often giggled about those tight shiny leggings and blousons the girls all wore back in the ’70s.
Bernie was terrific at regaling us with funny stories about those heady days when the Nolans were bigger than the Beatles in Japan and toured with the legendary Frank Sinatra.
Of course, we all thought she’d beaten cancer when she was given the all clear. It was a time for celebration and making plans for the future. Sadly the disease came back last year and it was terminal.
Bernie knew she didn’t have long to live and wanted to make every second count. She finished her autobiography and spent as much time as possible with Steve and Erin. Reading the book was just like talking to Bernie and I could hear her voice as I turned the pages.
I was supposed to interview her for the book launch when I was told she was too ill to go through with it. Instead Steve came on my TV show for a very emotional but uplifting interview. The public’s response to Steve, who spoke so movingly about his love for Bernie, was overwhelming, but he knew Bernie didn’t have much time.
Of course, she stayed alive and kicking with her family for far longer than docs thought humanly possible.
I will remember Bernie laughing during the recording of a Coronation Street special quiz show we appeared on. I will also never forget how passionate she was when on my show urging women to go for mammograms and declaring her determination to beat the disease.
Sadly even Bernie couldn’t win this particular battle.
She was one of a kind, and I know Steve and Erin and her sisters, family and friends will be utterly devastated. But I hope in time they can take some comfort from how much she was loved, admired and respected.
She was a truly remarkable woman and I am very glad and privileged to have known her.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe