Actress Lynda Bellingham Has Died After Battling Colon Cancer

British actress Lynda Bellingham has died after battling with colon cancer, according to her agent.

Bellingham, who had been given just months to live after taking the decision to end her chemotherapy treatment, reportedly died "in her husband's arms" on Sunday. She was aged 66.

The actress was best known for her long-running role as a mother in the Oxo TV adverts, and more recently as a pannellist on ITV chat show, Loose Women.

In a statement by her agent, Sue Latimer, it read: "Lynda died peacefully in her husband's arms yesterday at a London hospital.

"Her family would like to thank the nurses and staff for their tremendous care and support.

"Actor, writer and presenter - to the end Lynda was a consummate professional."

She was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2013 but she made the decision in August to stop chemotherapy to limit her family's suffering after the cancer had spread to her lungs and liver.

In her autobiography, Memoir, which was published in October the brave TV presenter had hoped she had time to live out one last Christmas and planned to pass away by the end of January.

She wrote: "August 13, 2014. Yesterday was the glorious 12th – a day for us to remember because it is also the day I decided when I will die. I am very dramatic aren't I?

"I know it is not ultimately my decision, but it is my last vestige of control to sit in front of the oncologist and say when I would like to stop having chemo and let the natural way do its thing.

"The time has come to cease and desist. I would love to make one more Christmas, if possible, but I want to stop taking chemo around November in order to pass away by the end of January."

She leaves her husband, Michael, two sons, Michael and Robbie, and stepson, Bradley.