Lynda Bellingham has revealed her dying wishes.
The 66-year-old actress – who has terminal bowel cancer which has spread to her liver and lungs – announced she only has weeks to live over the weekend but hopes her husband, Michael Pattermore, 59 and and her sons, Robbie, 26 and 31-year-old Michael can do some of the things she hasn’t got round to doing.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "There were so many things left that I wanted to do – but I hope my sons will use my energy and look after my hubby and love each other."
Lynda – who starred as the mother in the Oxo gravy stock adverts for 16 years – hopes her husband will find a new companion and buy a house in Somerset, where he grew up.
The former ‘Loose Women’ star – who lost her sister, Barbara, to lung cancer in 2005 – wishes she could see her sons tie the knot.
She said: "I am sad I will not see who they marry, or live with … I know in my heart they have so much to give to someone who will unlock their dreams."
Lynda – who was diagnosed with cancer last year – has taken the brave decision to stop having chemotherapy in November so she is able to spend one last Christmas with her family.
She said: "Suddenly this week time is starting to snowball and you think, hang on, I’m not ready for this. I fear time going quickly."
Speaking about her brave decision, she added: "I’ve only got weeks to live – so I’ve picked the date I’ll die.
"I would love to make one more Christmas, if possible, but I want to stop taking chemo around November in order to pass away by the end of January."