Lynda Bellingham's heartbroken husband said he wanted people to remember his wife for her acting rather than "as a celebrity".

The star, best known for her long-running role as the mother in the Oxo TV adverts, had colon cancer which later spread to her lungs and liver and died on Sunday aged 66.

Bellingham, who was diagnosed with cancer last July, said she decided to end her treatment on August 13 to limit the amount of suffering her family would witness and had said she wanted one more Christmas at home with her family.

But Michael Pattemore said the advanced state of her illness meant it was clear she would have been unable to die at home as she dearly wished.

He said: "She was in too much pain and they didn't have it under control enough for me to be able to look after her."

Mr Pattemore added: "I just want her to be remembered as an actress - not as a celebrity or one of the Loose Women.

"She started her career as an actress and never thought of herself as a celebrity.."

Fighting back tears, he said: "I can tell you now that the words on her gravestone will be 'The curtain went up on May 31 1948, and the final curtain went down on October 19 2014'."

Her agent Sue Latimer announced her death, saying: "Lynda died peacefully in her husband's arms at a London hospital. Her family, to whom she was devoted, would like to thank the nurses and staff for their tremendous care."

Her Loose Women co-stars paid tearful tribute to her on the show only hours after her death was announced.

Co-host Coleen Nolan said: "The only thing I think will get me through the day is I can almost feel her behind me whacking me, saying 'get on with it'."

Jane McDonald, who appeared on the show with Bellingham, said: "She would be mortified if we were all sad and weeping because Lynda was a fun, fabulous person".

Bellingham's acting career included the title role in sitcom Faith In The Future and regular stage roles.

She filmed a special farewell episode of Loose Women, to air on Wednesday, in which she received a standing ovation.

Kaye Adams, who also worked on the showsaid Bellingham was "an incredibly courageous person".