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

The 66-year-old actress and presenter, 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 was 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".

"The most important thing for me about Lynda was she wasn't just really committed to raising awareness on domestic violence and abuse, she was also an absolute model and inspiration to our service users because she was modelling it.

"Here was someone that had experienced it herself and came out the other side and had a great and fulfilled life.

"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."
In a statement on behalf of Lynda'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."

Lynda's decision to end her treatment was revealed in a newspaper serialisation of her forthcoming autobiography.

She had said she would like to see one last Christmas, sadly this was not the case.

She said: "The decision to give up chemo was a huge relief because I took back some control of myself. It's there on the table if I want it.

"I don't want the boys or my husband to see me die a little sad old lady. I want to go out there as I am."

Lynda, who took part in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing, was also a panellist on ITV show Loose Women in recent years.

She filmed a special farewell episode of the ITV show, which is yet to air, in which she received a standing ovation.

She also presented a number of other programmes, following an acting career which saw her star in dramas such as At Home With The Braithwaites and The Bill.