ACTRESS, TV presenter and Worcestershire charity patron Lynda Bellingham lost her battle with cancer this week (Oct 19) in the arms of her husband.

The 66-year-old Loose Women panellist, best known for her long-running role as a mother in the Oxo TV adverts, had been battling colon cancer, which later spread to her lungs and liver, since being diagnosed in July last year.

The outspoken actresses illness was well documented following her decision to end her treatment on August 13 to limit the amount of suffering her family would witness.

Lynda was a familiar face in Worcestershire after offering her support as a patron at West Mercia Women's Aid and receiving a fellowship from the University of Worcester during the opening of the National Centre for the Study and Prevention of Violence and Abuse earlier this year.

She also filmed some of her TV show, My Tasty Travels with Lynda Bellingham, in the Vale in 2012 appearing at the Badsey Flower Show.

Adrian Barradell, vice chairman of the organising committee, paid tribute to Lynda.

He said: "She came and spent the day with us a couple of years ago filming her Tasty Travels programme. She was lovely. She had so much time for people and everybody that came up to her she spent time talking to them. She charmed everyone."

Lynda was also heavily involved in promoting charities supporting domestic violence after suffering abuse during a 16-year marriage.

Jan Frances, Chief Executive of West Mercia Women’s Aid, described Lynda as an "inspiration".

"She was a fantastic person, inspiring, engaging, as soon as she started talking you couldn't take your eyes of her, she will be badly missed. Our heart felt condolences go to her husband and children."

Ruth Jones, director of the centre at the university, added: “We are very sad to hear of the death of Lynda Bellingham. She was a great supporter of the work of the centre and she was adamant she would attend the launch, in June, despite being very poorly at the time.

“We will ensure her name lives on through our work. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”

In a statement on behalf of Miss Bellingham’s family, her agent, Sue Latimer, said: “Lynda died peacefully in her husband’s arms yesterday evening at a London hospital. Her family, to whom she was devoted, would like to thank the nurses and staff for their tremendous care and support.

“As an actor, writer and presenter, Lynda was a consummate professional to the very end.

“Those of us privileged to have known her personally will miss the entertaining, life enhancing, true and honest friend that blessed our lives.”

A special farewell episode of ITV show Loose Women is yet to air.