'Two hours later she was gone': Christopher Biggins cries as he describes 'unbelievable' shock at Lynda Bellingham death

Lifelong friend Biggins couldn't contain his tears as he made a passionate tribute to his friend on Loose Women

 Grieving Christopher Biggins cried as he paid tribute to the 'marvellous'
lifelong friend Lynda Bellingham in an emotional Loose Women.
Barely able to speak, the 65-year-old described his shock at finding out Lynda was close to death by her husband, Michael, over the weekend.
He said:  "I came down last night and Michael rang me at 4.30pm in the afternoon.

 

Coleen Nolan says she can feel Lynda Bellingham's presence behind her on Loose Women

 ''He said 'I've got some bad news for you - it's going to be 48 hours. Then he rang me two hours later and she was gone.He went on to describe his shock at her death, but said: "It's a blessing in a way, we don't want her to suffer anymore."
"It is unbelievable really, she was such a great friend."
Lynda passed away age 66, in her husband Michael Pattermore's arms in hospital on Sunday after battling colon cancer, which had spread to her lungs and liver.

For all the latest tributes, click here

Former reality star Biggins, 65, told the panel: "The wonderful day she got her OBE, 20 of us went to lunch and celebrated. We knew she was ill as it was earlier this year but she was so strong.
"Last night was a difficult night as was this morning but I went to bed laughing, she used to tell a story, a joke about a French girl with a terrible French accent she had and big boobs, she told this joke time and time again and that was the sort of girl she was. I will remember the laughter, the joy of being with her and laughing and also the caring person she was.
"If you were in trouble, if you had a problem, you’d ring her and she’d be the first to help. Luckily she had Mr Spain who was brilliant to the end, the most wonderful, caring adorable husband that she loved and has been marvellous and two sons, so she got everything, she got her OBE, her two sons and a wonderful husband and it’s a blessing in a way because I don’t want her to suffer anymore than she had to in the end.”
Earlier today the Loose Women team tweeted: “Our thoughts go to #lyndabellingham's family at this incredibly sad time and to all those who's lives she touch so deeply, as she did ours.”
After retweeting tributes from numerous famous faces, they added: "#RIPLyndaBellingham one of the best colleagues and friends we could have wished for. LW will never be the same again."

Our thoughts go to #lyndabellingham's family at this incredibly sad time and to all those who's lives she touch so deeply, as she did ours.
— Loose Women (@loosewomen) October 20, 2014

 In a statement on behalf of her family, her agent Sue Latimer said: "Lynda died peacefully in her husband's arms yesterday at a London hospital.
"Her family would like to thank the nurses and staff for their tremendous care and support.
"Actor, writer and presenter - to the end Lynda was a consummate professional."
 The former Loose Women panellist was diagnosed with cancer in July last year and recently admitted she had decided to end her treatment on August 13 and hoped to have one last Christmas with her family.
She said: "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.
"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."
She leaves behind husband Michael, 59 and her sons, Michael, 31, and Robbie, 26.

 

Just a few days ago a beaming Lynda Bellingham received a standing ovation from the Loose Women studio audience as she arrived on set, report Patrick Hill and Rachel Bletchly in the Sunday People.
As the clapping failed to subside, she told them: “Enough! We’ve got so much to chat about. We haven’t time for this! And I do like to chat! Come on girls, ask me, what do you want to know?”
Lynda, who had terminal bowel cancer and only weeks to live, set herself just one rule when she joined the ITV show in 2007 – be honest.

 The actress knew she and “the girls” could talk about anything on the ­controversial daytime show... as long as they spoke from the heart. That way the viewers would always trust them.So, when she joined fellow panellists Coleen Nolan and Janet Street-Porter for a searingly emotional farewell ­interview she had one final request – remember me as an honest woman.
In one touching scene Lynda, 66, leaned forward to comfort Coleen ­saying “Please don’t cry… it will be fine!”
Messages of support flooded in for the 66-year-old Loose Women star, when she tweeted: “Hi everyone, just to say I have been diagnosed with cancer but I am not going to die!
“Dealing with it and hope to be back at work soon.”
At the time actress had not revealed what type of cancer she had but planned to take time off immediately to receive treatment.
Her sister Barbara died in 2008 from a lung tumour at 56.