British actress and presenter Lynda Bellingham, who had cancer, has died aged 66, her agent has confirmed.

Sue Latimer said she died yesterday "in her husband's arms".

The actress, best known for her long-running role as a mother in the Oxo TV adverts, had been battling colon cancer since being diagnosed in July 2013.

Bellingham said she had planned to end her treatment to limit her family's suffering after it spread to her lungs and liver.

In a statement on behalf of Bellingham's family, Mrs Latimer said: "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."

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

Bellingham was also known for shows such as All Creatures Great and Small and in recent years was on the panel of ITV's Loose Women.

Bellingham's most famous role was as the much-loved mum in the Oxo adverts from 1983She played Helen Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small, alongside Christopher Timothy

Speaking earlier this month, Bellingham said her decision to give up chemotherapy was "a huge relief because I took back some control of myself".

Her death comes just 10 days after her memoir There's Something I've Been Dying To Tell You was published.

In it, she wrote that she was planning to end her treatment in November and "would love to make one more Christmas, if possible".

She also wrote that the chemotherapy was so strong her body was "protesting", and she was in pain and discomfort.

Christopher Timothy, who starred opposite Bellingham in All Creatures Great and Small, was among those paying tribute, describing the actress as "a real friend".

"She was a life force. She was funny, she was loyal, talented and a great mum," he told the BBC.

"On set, she was 'one of the boys' really - she was naughty and funny. We've all been expecting it, but it is so unjust she didn't make her last Christmas as was her intention."

He added: "Her honesty and her upfrontness was exactly what one knew and what you expected, but [her honesty about her illness] made it more painful." May Her Gentle soul rest in peace.