Lynda Bellingham was everybody's favourite TV mum as the star of the Oxo adverts and a new generation came to love her through chat show Loose Women. So the death of the actress, who fought cancer so courageously, has united fans and fellow celebrities in grief.
One of the first to tweet as the nation woke up to the news was actor Simon Pegg who described Lynda as a "gorgeous, brassy, funny, generous, talented human being" and "My first TV mother figure". Actress Lisa Faulkner said simply: "Will never forget your wonderful laugh Lynda x"Presenter Chris Evans recalled the times with he spent with her, saying she was "an absolute mensch of the highest order".
Just last month the 66-year-old moved viewers by revealing she had decided to give up chemotherapy to take back some control over her life. Lynda told fans she was hoping for one last Christmas with her family. Many of the tributes focused on this courageous decision. Presenter Jake Humphrey said: "After a wonderful career, Lynda Bellingham's legacy will be what she did in the past few weeks. To face cancer with dignity & strength. RIP."Michelle Keegan said: "What a brave and courageous woman she was, with a hilarious sense of humour" tagging her post #inspiration.
In August the actress spoke of her gratitude for the outpouring of support since revealing her cancer battle, calling it "slightly embarrassing". She added: "What an eye opener it's been to realise how loved I actually am." A statement from her agent on Monday said that her husband Michael Pattemore was with her until the end. They married on her 60th birthday in 2008. She is also survived by Michael and Robbie from a previous marriage.