Actress Lynda Bellingham 'Has Months to Live' After Confirming Terminal Cancer

British actress and television presenter Lynda Bellingham has revealed she has just months to live after taking the decision to end her chemotherapy treatment.

Bellingham, 66, has been battling colon cancer since July last year. She revealed in a serialised excerpt of her autobiography, published in the Mail on Sunday, that she will stop chemotherapy in November as the cancer has spread to her lungs and liver.

In her autobiography, Memoir, which will be published in October, 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."

Bellingham, who gained fame playing the mother in the iconic Oxo TV adverts, said she wrote her book to help people who are suffering from cancer or other terminal illnesses.

The Loose Women talk show panellist was forced to postpone her theatre tour of Kay Mellor's play A Passionate Woman last year after announcing her diagnosis.

"I'm devastated not to be able to honour my commitments to the play this year," she said.

"But having toured many times before, I'm aware of the sheer stamina needed and I need to prioritise my recovery."

The Canadian-born actress who was adopted, previously published a best-selling memoir Lost and Found, which details her search for her birth mother.

Bellingham's sister Barbara died from lung cancer, and Lynda Bellingham has long been a supporter of charities including Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.