Lynda Bellingham on ending chemotherapy: 'I don't want the boys or my husband to see me die a little sad old lady'

'The decision to give up chemo was a huge relief because I took back some control of myself. It's there on the table if I want it,' she told BBC Breakfast

Lynda Bellingham and husband Michael Patteson outside the BBC Breakfast studios in Manchester on 7 October

Lynda Bellingham expects to pass away early next year after making the decision to end her chemotherapy in November.

The 66-year-old actress was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2013.

Speaking on the BBC Breakfast show in Manchester today, she said: “The decision to give up chemo was a huge relief because I took back some control of myself. It's there on the table if I want it.

“I don't want the boys or my husband to see me die a little sad old lady. I want to go out there as I am.”

Bellingham has two adult sons, Michael and Robbie, from her second marriage to Nunzio Peluso.

Now married to Michael Patteson, she went on to confirm her plans to die at her home.

However, Lynda’s doctor has informed her that she can change her mind and resume the treatment at any time.

“I said to the oncologist, ‘Is it defeatist of me?’ And he said, ‘No, no ,no, make a decision but don't stick to it.’

“That is what I did so I've got it there on the side and if it's like it is now then I won't do it.”

On the subject of her new autobiography, There's Something I've Been Dying To Tell You, she said: “I wrote the book for everybody out there. It's supposed to be uplifting. It's not supposed to be an embarrassing account of me having terminal cancer.

“I wanted to write it for everybody who is given that curveball and say of course there are no answers but, if you can, take it and make it positive and talk about dying.

“If two people read this book and think, ‘Actually, that's how I feel and I'm not on my own,’ then I'll have done something half decent.”