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Lynda Bellingham funeral held in Crewkerne in Somerset | Lynda Bellingham funeral held in Crewkerne in Somerset |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The funeral of actress Lynda Bellingham, who died last month, is under way in Somerset. | |
The 66-year-old, best known for her long-running role as a mum in the Oxo TV adverts, had battled colon cancer since being diagnosed in July 2013. | The 66-year-old, best known for her long-running role as a mum in the Oxo TV adverts, had battled colon cancer since being diagnosed in July 2013. |
Guests, including Loose Women colleagues Jane McDonald and Andrea McLean, arrived for the funeral at St Bartholomew's Church in Crewkerne. | |
The actress died "in her husband's arms" on 19 October, in hospital. | |
Bellingham decided to stop having chemotherapy to limit her family's suffering after her cancer spread to her lungs and liver. | |
Speaking earlier this month, she said giving up the treatment was "a huge relief because I took back some control of myself". | Speaking earlier this month, she said giving up the treatment was "a huge relief because I took back some control of myself". |
At the scene: Tammy McAllister, BBC News | At the scene: Tammy McAllister, BBC News |
Preparations had been under way at St Bartholomew's Church since early this morning - when I arrived earlier the florists had started placing the floral displays near the altar. | Preparations had been under way at St Bartholomew's Church since early this morning - when I arrived earlier the florists had started placing the floral displays near the altar. |
They told me the flowers chosen were a combination of viburnum, avalanche roses and mint green carnations - all in hues of green and white, which were Lynda's favourite colours. | They told me the flowers chosen were a combination of viburnum, avalanche roses and mint green carnations - all in hues of green and white, which were Lynda's favourite colours. |
The verger also told me a local choir of about 22 members were here on Sunday practising the hymns. | The verger also told me a local choir of about 22 members were here on Sunday practising the hymns. |
Local residents told me the council had begun sprucing up the grass verges outside her house on the Main Street. | Local residents told me the council had begun sprucing up the grass verges outside her house on the Main Street. |
The two ladies I spoke to said they felt they wanted to pay their respects as Lynda was a well-known and loved figure who they had grown up with in the public eye. But they also did not want to intrude on the family's grief. | The two ladies I spoke to said they felt they wanted to pay their respects as Lynda was a well-known and loved figure who they had grown up with in the public eye. But they also did not want to intrude on the family's grief. |
Bellingham had an acting career that spanned five decades. | Bellingham had an acting career that spanned five decades. |
She had a starring role in the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small, which for a time became a staple of Sunday evening viewing. | She had a starring role in the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small, which for a time became a staple of Sunday evening viewing. |
But for many people, she will be best remembered for her 16 years as the "Oxo Mum" in advertisements that became a series of mini-soap operas. | But for many people, she will be best remembered for her 16 years as the "Oxo Mum" in advertisements that became a series of mini-soap operas. |
She was born Meredith Lee Hughes in Montreal, Canada, on 31 May 1948. | She was born Meredith Lee Hughes in Montreal, Canada, on 31 May 1948. |
Her mother Marjorie gave birth to her out of wedlock, incensing her strict Jewish family, who made her give up her daughter. | Her mother Marjorie gave birth to her out of wedlock, incensing her strict Jewish family, who made her give up her daughter. |
She was adopted by a British couple, Donald and Ruth Bellingham, who brought her up in their Buckinghamshire home. | She was adopted by a British couple, Donald and Ruth Bellingham, who brought her up in their Buckinghamshire home. |