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| Lynda Bellingham funeral held in Crewkerne in Somerset | Lynda Bellingham funeral held in Crewkerne in Somerset |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The funeral of actress Lynda Bellingham, who died last month, has taken place 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, attended the service at St Bartholomew's Church in Crewkerne. | |
| The actress died "in her husband's arms" on 19 October, in hospital. | 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. | 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 |
| Among the mourners were two ladies who told me they felt they wanted to pay their respects as Lynda was a well-known and loved figure whom they had grown up with in the public eye. But they also did not want to intrude on the family's grief. | Among the mourners were two ladies who told me they felt they wanted to pay their respects as Lynda was a well-known and loved figure whom they had grown up with in the public eye. But they also did not want to intrude on the family's grief. |
| Another mourner, Joyce Willey said: "Fourteen years ago I survived cancer with only 40 per cent chance of survival - I'm still here 14 years later. It's quite poignant when you've had it yourself and you realise it's quite a devastating thing - it's not a nice word, cancer." | Another mourner, Joyce Willey said: "Fourteen years ago I survived cancer with only 40 per cent chance of survival - I'm still here 14 years later. It's quite poignant when you've had it yourself and you realise it's quite a devastating thing - it's not a nice word, cancer." |
| About 300 members of the public turned up at St Bartholomew's Church for the funeral, which was decorated with viburnum, avalanche roses and mint green carnations - all in hues of green and white, which were Lynda's favourite colours. | About 300 members of the public turned up at St Bartholomew's Church for the funeral, which was decorated with viburnum, avalanche roses and mint green carnations - all in hues of green and white, which were Lynda's favourite colours. |
| One woman, Marlene, who went along to pay her respects, said: "It's an honour, it's lovely to think she's being buried here, it's an honour for Crewkerne." | One woman, Marlene, who went along to pay her respects, said: "It's an honour, it's lovely to think she's being buried here, it's an honour for Crewkerne." |
| Polly Warner, told me: "I think she's an absolutely wonderful lady, very strong, inspirational to a lot of people. I lost my mother to cancer coming up to two years ago. She's a marvellous woman, such an inspiration." | Polly Warner, told me: "I think she's an absolutely wonderful lady, very strong, inspirational to a lot of people. I lost my mother to cancer coming up to two years ago. She's a marvellous woman, such an inspiration." |
| Margaret Long said: "I've always admired what she's done, her personality. I first remember her as being the Oxo mum and my children used to love her. I think she's an inspiration to anyone who has got cancer." | Margaret Long said: "I've always admired what she's done, her personality. I first remember her as being the Oxo mum and my children used to love her. I think she's an inspiration to anyone who has got cancer." |
| 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. |