Stars of stage and screen pay tribute to Lynda Bellingham at her funeral in Somerset

Stars of the stage and screen were among the family and friends of Lynda Bellingham today to pay tribute to the late actress at her funeral in Somerset.

Bellingham, who died last month aged 66 after suffering from colon cancer which later spread to her lungs and liver, was best known for her role as “Oxo mum” in the Oxo television adverts.

Her coffin, covered in white flowers, was carried into the church by her husband Michael, sons Michael and Robert and step-son Bradley, and mourners carried white roses.

Friend Giles Brandreth said in the service: “I’ve never known anyone more alive than Lynda Bellingham. She taught us how to die with grace and courage”.

Her family had promised to give her “one final show” at her funeral, after the actress said her final wish was for her friends and family to “have a party when I’m gone”.

Mourners included her Loose Women co-stars Jane McDonald, Andrea McLean, Kate Thornton and Coleen Nolan as well as as close friends author Lynda La Plante and actress Maureen Lipman.

Also among mourners were Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, actor and presenter Christopher Biggins - who said he wore a pink suit because he “knew it would put a smile on her face” - and Michael Redfern, Bellingham’s on-screen husband from the Oxo adverts.

Days before her death she told how she chose to end her cancer treatment before she died “in her husband’s arms” on October 19 in hospital.