Lynda was given "one final show" as showbiz pals paid their final farewell to their beloved friend at the Church of St Bartholomew in Crewkerne, Somerset
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Lynda Bellingham's meticulously planned funeral today was a touching, tearful and suitably theatrical affair, attended by family, friends and a raft of showbiz stars.
Scroll down to recap on all of our updates from the service.
Beloved mother and actress Lynda Bellingham will be laid to rest today in a service she planned herself at Church of St Bartholomew in Crewkerne, Somerset.
Lynda was just 66 when she died from bowel cancer on October 19 - her emotional final interview was aired on Loose Women two weeks later.
Asked by Coleen Nolan how she wanted to be remembered, the married mum-of-two said: “Just as an honest person.
“We’ve been through this as Loose Women – you can’t do Loose Women unless you’re honest.
“You can’t hide anything, it really is honest when we answer questions. That’s why I felt I could write about it and know people would trust.
“Trust is a huge thing. Not just as an actor, not just as a lover, not just as a wife, that trust thing. Just to say, ‘You could trust her’.”
Stars of the small and big screen are expected to pack out the Somerset church this afternoon as her family vowed to give the actress "one final show"
Lynda’s funeral is taking place at the picturesque St Bartholomew's Parish Church in Somerset at 12.
According to reports preparations started in the early hours of this morning – with florists setting up displays around the altar.
The flowers are believed to be made up from Lynda’s favourite colours – green and white.
The service will be taken by Lynda’s friend and the former Archdeacon of London Peter Delaney MBE,
Lynda revealed that she planned to have her funeral in Somerset in her autobiography There’s Something I’ve Been Dying To Tell You.
She wrote prior to her death: “We have reached a compromise, I think, and there will be a service in Somerset and a knees-up in London.
“So if you are passing, do drop in for a quick boogie.”
Lynda’s husband Michael, who was with the actress when she passed away, tweeted on Sunday ahead of the funeral.
Michael, who will be known to fans of the star as Mr Spain, wrote: “Looking at all your messages, as you all know Lynda will be laid to rest on Monday a very sad day.”
Michael was Lynda’s third husband, a Spanish-based mortgage broker - hence his nickname.
They fell in love and married when she was 60-years-old.
After she passed away in his arms, Michael, 59, 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’.
“She started her career as an actress and never thought of herself as a celebrity. She has always been an actress.”
Lynda's best friend for 40 years actor Christopher Biggins opened up about her funeral plans.
The star said: “It’s going to be the longest funeral ever!
"Michael asked Maureen, me and Nickolas and then various people through Lynda’s career to do something.
“It’ll be loud and bright and joyous. That’s the kind of girl she was.
“Lynda had a lot of input but I don’t know exactly what her plans were – she kept them secret – but she will have chosen some of the music and there may be other surprises.”
Following the funeral, Christopher and Mirror columnist Coleen Nolan, will lead Tuesday’s episode of Loose Women by reflecting on the funeral and their memories of the actress.
Vowing to give Lynda “one final show” , the funeral will be attended by a whole of host of her famous friends.
As well as Christopher Biggins, Maureen Lipman, Jane McDonald, Denise Welch and Nickolas Grace will all be in attendance.
Lynda’s co-star on Loose Women – Coleen Nolan – will also be in attendance ahead of hosting a special of the ITV show on Tuesday.
Speaking on the show following Lynda’s death, Coleen was very tearful.
She revealed: “I laughed and I cried when I read her book. That was just from the honesty of her. She was just a fantastic woman.”
On Tuesday Loose Women will once again pay tribute to the actress and TV star.
The episode will be headed up by Coleen Nolan and her best friend of 40 years Christopher Biggins.
Today Ruth Langsford will be hosting the show, while many of the Loose Women stars will be attending the funeral.
It is expected to go on air at 12.30pm with a mention of the funeral, which will still be taking place.
An ITV source said: “We want to honour Lynda and will reference her a lot at the start of the week as she was such a big part of the show.”
Lynda’s final appearance on Loose Women, broadcast on October 22, was recorded just two weeks before her death on October 19.
The Order of Service for Lynda’s funeral today features an image of the actress smiling broadly, taken when she collected her OBE in 2014.
It simply states her name – Lynda Bellingham Pattemore OBE – as well as the time and date the funeral takes place.
Tributes will be made by Jean Bellingham, Lynda La Plante, Maureen Lipman, Jane McDonald, Carol McGiffin, Denise Welch, Nicolas Grace and Christopher Biggins.
Lisa Maxwell will give a reading at the start of the service.
Lynda's third husband Michael Pattemore and hers sons Michael and Robbie Peluso will also give tributes later during the service.
Mourners are filing into 15th century St Bartholomew's Church in the middle of Crewkerne, Somerset.
Around 30 fans are outside the church in the rain.
Actor and TV star Christopher Biggins, who is expected to speak at the service, has arrived to pay his respects to his best friend.
The usually bubbly star looked subdued ahead of the funeral as he arrived alongside his partner Neil Sinclair.
Instead of wearing black, the traditional colour for funerals, he is wearing a bold pink suit.
Asked about his suit, he replied: "She (Lynda) would like this, put a smile on her face."
In December of last year the actress, who is best known for her long-running role in the Oxo TV adverts, found out she was being an awarded an OBE.
At the time she said the award was "a fantastic way to move forward" following a "tough year".
She said of her inclusion in the New Year Honours list, for her charity work: "I am absolutely delighted and proud to receive this OBE.
"It has been a long and tough year but this award is just a fantastic way to move forward. I feel honoured and inspired and very grateful."
Her career highlights include TV series All Creatures Great And Small, competing in Strictly Come Dancing and starring in the touring stage production of Calendar Girls.
Loose Women star Coleen has arrived at the church dressed in a black overcoat.
She is one of the stars expected to speak during the special funeral.
Jane McDonald, Kate Thorton and Andrea McLean arrive together for the service in Somerset.
Micheal Redfern, who played Lynda's husband in the iconic Oxo adverts, has arrived at the funeral.
Speaking about working with Lynda he previously said: "She remembered the names of the crew by name - something I couldn't do. She was a people person."
He added: "She was just normal - she was like the lady next door, or the wife or your mother."
Many of the guests arriving at the church are carrying umbrellas due to the rain, as more than 100 members of the public lined the path outside the church to pay their respects.
The church can hold up to 300 people who will be joining in with what is expected to be a lively send-off.
Paul O’Grady is unable to attend the service due to filming commitments.
He told The Mirror: “I’m gutted I can’t go. Lynda was a lovely lady, I was very fond of her and really shocked when I heard the news. It’s unbelievable and scary, but that’s it, I’ve lost another friend.
“I last saw her in the studios, we’d always pass in the corridors when she was doing Loose Women. She was looking well, which is why it was such a shock.”
Two bouquets of white carnations have just been carried into the church, one spelling out mum, the other simply Lynda.
Coronation Street actress Helen Worth, former Liver Bird Paula Wilcox, actor Robert Lindsay, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Marcus Setchell, the gynecologist who delivered Prince George, have arrived.
Lynda's coffin is driven towards the church in a hearse as more than 100 fans line the streets in the rain.
A floral tribute reading Mum can be seen on the coffin, which is covered in flowers in her favourite colours white and yellow.
Lynda's coffin, which is covered in flowers, is carried into the church where up to 300 family and friends await.
Prior to her death she had asked for a lively send-off, so her husband, Michael Pattemore, has lined up a string of acts to make the funeral a Royal Variety-style celebration of the much-loved actress's life.
Around 300 people are here all together and the rain has now stopped.
Lynda's husband and two sons followed six pallbearers into the church. Guests following are carrying white roses.
Her coffin is decked in white roses and the service has just started.
Michael Peluso, 31, was seen hugging a fellow mourner before the service.
This morning he retweeted a message from Loose Women which read: "@MichaelPeluso1 @Robert_Peluso @Bradplondon and Mr Spain - our thoughts are with you all today. Lynda will forever be in our hearts."
Following the news of his mother's death, he tweeted: "Oh mama miss u so much".
He later added: "In honour of mum! She always said...Tomo son is another day, onwards & upwards and don't let the buggers get u down Xxx"
@MichaelPeluso1 @Robert_Peluso @Bradplondon and Mr Spain - our thoughts are with you all today. Lynda will forever be in our hearts.
— Loose Women (@loosewomen) November 3, 2014 
Lynda's widower is one of the six pallbearers.
Prior to carrying the coffin he arrived with a female friend, who appeared to be comforting him.
Michael's face was etched with grief as he took up his position carrying the coffin.
He is wearing a black open-neck shirt and back suit with a bright red pocket scarfe.
Robert and Michael arrived for the service together.
Like Michael Pattemore, their mother's husband, they wore black with bright red pocket scarves.
Lynda had planned what she wanted at her funeral prior to her death.
She would no doubt have been delighted to see the amazing turn out of friends, family and fans who are keen to fulfil her final wishes.
Guest in attendance include:
- Coleen Nolan
- Christopher Biggins
- Loose Women: Andrea McLean, Kate Thornton, Jane McDonald
- Julian Fellowes
- Robert Lindsay
- Helen Worth
Up to a hundred of Lynda's fans, who are unable to attend the service, are waiting outside while it commences.
Now the rain has stopped they are standing in huddles reading over the Order Of Service.
Loose Women, hosted by Ruth Langford, panned to live images of St Bartholomew's Parish Church while the service was underway.
Ruth said: "There have been reports of laughter from inside the church. Well, Lynda wanted a lively send off and it sounds like she is getting one."
Viewers saw the entrance to the Somerset church, basking in bright sunlight after this morning's heavy rain.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth raised a hearty laugh from the congregation with a tribute to his 'funny and sexy' friend.
In the first tribute he said he met her 40 years ago after he was introduced to her by her best pal Christopher Biggins.
He said: "I liked her at once. I couldn't not. She was so funny and so sexy. Every guy who met her fancied her. "In fact I say especially gay men fancied her. She would be the first to admit that when she came to men she didn't always get it right.
"Her first marriage was a blip, her second was a trauma, although it brought her her greatest gifts in life - her two sons.
"Then came Mike. We were suspicious at first. Some of us were jealous. But then there was that lovely happy wedding day and we met you.
"We were so happy that you made Lynda so happy, and we were so happy therefore for you both."
He added: "I don't think I've known anyone who was more happy than Lynda.
"She showed us how to live, and then in her last months she showed us how to die; with grace and courage and humour and acceptance.
"About three weeks ago she called me and she said 'I'm in a good place you know, I really am'."
Speaking on behalf of her Loose Women co-stars, Jane McDonald fought back tears as she recalled her pal.
She thanked her 'beautiful boys' and her husband Michael for the 'love' they gave her.
Jane added: "She loved you so much. That's what Lynda had in abundance, she had love.
"You only had to ring Lynda and she would bring you out of it. We all know that Lynda was a great actress but she was so much more.
"I just wanted to say how much she brought to our little show. She hated it with a passion to be honest. She did. She couldn't stand it you know, but we all loved her.
"She just had this passion for life and the thing about Lynda Bellingham - Lynda Bellingham Pattemore OBE - she lived three lives more than any of us.
"She knew how to live. She really did."
Following the church service which is expected to last a couple of hours the interment will take place at Townsend Cemetery, in Mount Pleasant, Crewkerne, before a reception at luxury Georgian hotel, Haselbury Mill.
A 'service of thanksgiving' for Lynda will also take place on February 11 at noon at St Stephen Walbrook in London. The order of service asked mourners to donate to charity Action Against Cancer.
Lynda certainly had a diverse group of friends, which was evident by the vast and varied guests in attendance.
An example of this was the Hollywood A-lister Stanley Tucci, who looked solemn as he arrived in an overcoat.
While family and friends payed tribute inside the church, Lynda's fans had their own kind words.
Mourner, Joyce Willey said: "Fourteen years ago I survived cancer with only 40 per cent chance of survival - I'm still here 14 years later.
"It's quite poignant when you've had it yourself and you realise it's quite a devastating thing - it's not a nice word, cancer."
One woman, Marlene, who went along to pay her respects, said: "It's an honour, it's lovely to think she's being buried here, it's an honour for Crewkerne."
Polly Warner, said: "I think she's an absolutely wonderful lady, very strong, inspirational to a lot of people.
"I lost my mother to cancer coming up to two years ago. "She's a marvellous woman, such an inspiration."
Margaret Long said: "I've always admired what she's done, her personality.
"I first remember her as being the Oxo mum and my children used to love her. "I think she's an inspiration to anyone who has got cancer."
Following the service Lynda's funeral is carried out into the sunshine by her husband Michael Pattemore and sons Robert and Michael.
As the service came to an end a floral tribute of her name was carried out.
Mourners, who had filled the church, sang Love Divine and All Loves Excelling during the service in between prayers and speeches from her nearest and dearest.
Actress Mauren Lipman paid tribute to the actress.
Fighting back tears, she said: "I wish I could reproduce the fun times, the joke-telling. Strangely she loved one joke that ended in the words '...I think that maybe I shit in the piano'.
"Her sudden honking laughter, her craziness, her rich, throaty and slightly metallic voice, her high campery and her beautiful brown eyes.
"In this sad time we must conjure up over a Campari and soda or three as we attempt to adjust to living in a belligerent, sometimes bellicose world, which no longer holds our Belly."
Loose Women actress Denise Welch made an emotional exit from the church
Jane, who worked with Lynda on Loose Women, looked forlorn as she left the service which was jam packed with emotional tributes.
Lynda's sister made a heartfelt speech during the cermony.
She said: “I just want to say a few words as the remaining member of our previous family.
"I know mum, dad and our sister Barbara would have wanted me too. We had such an idyllic childhood, we were loved by our parents. Lynda especially admired our father – he was her role model. My granny Mag had a special fondness for Lynda as she was always the first grandchild even though she was adopted.
“Growing up on the farm was such an adventure. In our teenage years Lynda and I were not particularly close, we had different interests, she being older discovered boys.
"We became close when I left school and I joined her in Crewe. She got me a job in the wardrobe department.
We shared a flat together and had such fun. One time we went to this Halloween party dressed as witches. We got into the spirit of things, warts and all. We looked so ugly, nobody spoke to us the whole evening.
"Throughout our lives we were supported by each other during hard times, Lynda needing help during her difficult marriages and me with mine, always there for each other, closer at times than others. When she became ill and she couldn’t act, she loved cooking for the family. Every Sunday without fail we had lunch together, she continued to give an entertain, despite her illness.
"During this time Lynda and I enjoyed days out in between her chemo sessions, eating and shopping. We were both born to shop.
"Lynda as last was able to eat as much cake as she liked. This week we had planned to go shopping at the Spirit of Christmas but unfortunately that’s not meant to happen. Lynda and all are family love Christmas. I will miss her so much."
Loose Women’s Denise Welch read to a round of applause an ode she had written about her friend.
She said: "I'll miss you Lynda very much as will everybody here
"There is no need to say how much you are loved, as today that is abundantly clear
"If you are looking down from wherever you are I am sure you will be having a hoot at the odd bods that loved you so dearly like Biggins in that bloody pink suit
"Your humour is what I will remember and the dirtiest laugh known to man.
"Your jokes even I said you can't tell, 'C'mon Denzy, you know that I can'
"We laughed until we cried over willies, they provided us with such endless fun
"We'd have bets on who would have the biggest but no, none of you ever won
"Her career spanned several decades showing a talent so huge and so rare, spawning comments like 'God that was brilliant' and 'What a magnificent pair'
"But joking aside, as an actress, she knocked spots off all around, from 'All Creatures...' to 'At home with the Braithwaites', all her characters had us spellbound
"We all know she became a Loose Woman and made a success of that too, where her honesty, truth and compassion made it feel like she was talking to you.
"But her main role in life wasn't on stage but back at her home with the boys. From Michael and Robbie as babies in a house full of nappies and toys, to a new life that made her so happy. By the look on her face it was plain and we all know the reason why that was, 'My luvver over there Mr Spain'.
"Ten years have gone by oh so quickly, in his arms she was destined to stay, until a cruel twist of fate took her from us and that's why we are all here today.
"When it's my turn to go I will remember to cherish each night and each day. I want to go just like Bellers, decided to do it her way.
"As she said today must be joyous, full of laughter and try not to cry and because she was ever so bossy, let's obey her Here's to Lynda with a 'y'."
In a fitting tribute to the vivacious star fireworks are let off as the mourners left the church.
Crowds of mourners watched as a series of loud bangs crackled over Townsend Cemetery in Crewkerne in silver, red and green.
They cheered and clapped loudly as the display, which caused smoke to fill the picturesque landscape of rolling Somerset hills, ended.
Mourners had walked to the cemetery, which has a neighbouring plot for widower Michael Pattemore, following the church service.
Family and close friends carried white roses and arrived in vehicles accompanying Bellingham's black Mercedes hearse.
They embraced and wept outside the chapel before heading to the burial plot with her wooden coffin and white flowers.
Mr Pattemore was overheard telling the group: "Everyone laughed as she came out, that is exactly what I wanted. It was exactly what I wanted."
Christopher Biggins had mourners laughing with a theatrical five-minute tribute to his great friend. He started by reading some words from one of Bellingham's close friends, agent Felicity Larner, who was unable to attend the service.
Christopher said: "Wouldn't she have loved today? Looking around, it is like looking at all our lives, it's fantastic, it's just, just wonderful.
"I only hope, I have a little challenge to you, Peter (Delaney - Archdeacon), I only hope that when we die we hang around for at least the funeral - to see who's there and who's not there.
"I rang my mother Pam, who's 90 and lives in Salisbury, and I said I am going down to Lynda Bellingham's funeral and she said 'Oh poor girl, where is it then?' and I said 'Crewkerne' and she said 'Crew-keeerrrrnnnnne, I was stationed there in the war. It's a lovely place'.
"There was a bit of a pause and she said 'She'll love it there'. So Lynda, you have Pam's approval. It's a very, very nice place indeed.
The actor then read a poem called Codicil, written by Julia Deakin, which had been given to him by his "comedy guru" Maureen Lipman.
It said: "Hang about Vicar, let me interrupt. Having been full of life you say, I'd want a party. Yes, but I'm full of death now and see things differently.
"You say I wouldn't have wanted folk to grieve for long. No - but with infinite death ahead of me, a few months being alive and fed-up doesn't seem much to ask of my friends.
"OK, some of you wear the bright clothes I admired - but you lot with less taste, give us a break and wear dark colours please.
"No flowers? Donations only? Hold your horses. I could never have picked one charity and loved buying and looking at flowers. I'd like to give my mourners that opportunity.
"True, I liked food, and would like to see most of you tucking in. But I'd also like to do some good - and some of you who could do to lose a pound or two should surely be too upset to eat.
"Smile by all means, remember my gaffes and share a careful laugh - but then it's my funeral, f*** it - some of you ought to go home and weep buckets."
Fighting back tears, Christopher turned to the coffin and said: "Lynda... Belly... we will cry but eventually at the end of the day we all love you, we will always love you as you were so, so special. Thank you."
To a round of applause, Biggins was them embraced by Mr Pattemore.
As a mark of Lynda's wish to see one last Christmas the choir sang Away In A Manger.
Recorded contributions were played to the congregation from both author Lynda La Plante and celebrity agent Sue Latimer, as both were unable to attend.
The choir then sang Lord Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace before actress Sue Holderness - Only Fools and Horses' Marlene - read Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.
Following the emotional service Coleen embraced Christopher. It came after he delighted mourners with his touching and funny tribute to his best friend.
During the service Michael and Robert read out a letter from their mother while fighting back their tears.
It read: "Michael there is a photo of you as a baby and I seem to be presenting you to the world and you are responding beautifully like the actor you are with a big beaming smile. We both look very spark'y if you understand my meaning.
"Then there is a photo of me and Robbie when he was a baby of a very similar age, five years later and here I am trying to present my new son and you’re having none of it.
"You are gazing into the camera slightly miffed, a bit uncertain of what is required of you and I am looking unsure of my ability to make you feel secure and I look sad and that’s actually how it was in 1980. I’m not going to go back over wasted years but I guess they have to be taken into equation of where you both are today.
"I take responsibility for giving you the of life, well I take some of the responsibility . I also take pride and joy from your existence and how you’ve both turned out. You are both so different, yet from the same mould, I love you both so much it hurts. I think it’s hard for men to understand how emotion works in women because as far as I can make out men are so much more uncomplicated, simple and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way at all.
"Men need very little to make them happy, where women need to pick and unpick and out back together again. I wish I had been tougher with both of you with the obvious stuff in life but I really thought you were both clever enough to see what has to be done.
"If you didn’t do your homework you would fail your exams, if you didn’t do your homework you would push each other away and if you do bad things they will come back to haunt you. However somehow you both managed to reach a point where this all became clear to you and now you can move forward and make great lives for yourself.
"The terrible truth is I will not be there to enjoy these moments. I am sorry but if you have a little spirituality in you you will believe I will be watching."
Michael - Lynda's third husband - spoke following her two sons.
In a truly heartfelt speech he described their first meeting: "This is going to be tough. While I was preparing this speech I wanted dates and times to be exact. What I discovered was devastating. It was on this very day 3 November 2004, 1.30 in the afternoon ten years ago that I first met Lynda.
"Can I go back to that day? I can remember that moment when we first met as if it was yesterday.
"I was her Mr Spain. I lived in a beautiful town north of Alicante. My business was property and mortgages. The night before I received a call to say the Oxo lady was in town and her friend was looking for a mortgage so I arranged to meet them the following day at 1.30. I drove out to meet her on the 3 at lunch time in my bright red car with the roof down and I was confront by not only Lynda but Pat Hayes and Pat’s sister and her husband.
"When our eyes met there was an immediate attraction. Apparently the first thing Lynda whispered to Pat was ‘ there’s a Jack the lad if ever I saw one’.Honestly I’m not.
"I made some arrangements for Lynda and Pat to meet the following Monday. I arrived smack on 8.30 to pick them up.
"As they jumped in the car Lynda said ‘at least you’re on time’. All of you will know that Lynda is never late for anything.
We spent the whole Monday together and when we parted she said ‘call in if you are ever parting through London’.
"'Yeah right' I thought. She was just being as polite, generous as always.
But we texted and emailed and then I was driving down the M6 on December 23 picking up my daughter when the phone rang and it was Lynda.
"'Where are you?' she said. I told her I was in the UK and she said 'if you are passing call in for a quick drink, I will cook you something to eat.'
"'Not a problem I said', not telling her I was over 50 miles away.
That evening we took up just where we had left off that Monday in Spain, it was two days before Christmas.
One of the most touching moments of Lynda's funeral service was when her sister Jean made a heartfelt speech.
She said: “I just want to say a few words as the remaining member of our previous family.
"I know mum, dad and our sister Barbara would have wanted me too. We had such an idyllic childhood, we were loved by our parents. Lynda especially admired our father – he was her role model. My granny Mag had a special fondness for Lynda as she was always the first grandchild even though she was adopted.
“Growing up on the farm was such an adventure. In our teenage years Lynda and I were not particularly close, we had different interests, she being older discovered boys.
"We became close when I left school and I joined her in Crewe. She got me a job in the wardrobe department.
"We shared a flat together and had such fun. One time we went to this Halloween party dressed as witches. We got into the spirit of things, warts and all. We looked so ugly, nobody spoke to us the whole evening.
"Throughout our lives we were supported by each other during hard times, Lynda needing help during her difficult marriages and me with mine, always there for each other, closer at times than others. When she became ill and she couldn’t act, she loved cooking for the family. Every Sunday without fail we had lunch together, she continued to give an entertain, despite her illness.
"During this time Lynda and I enjoyed days out in between her chemo sessions, eating and shopping. We were both born to shop.
"Lynda as last was able to eat as much cake as she liked. This week we had planned to go shopping at the Spirit of Christmas but unfortunately that’s not meant to happen. Lynda and all are family love Christmas. I will miss her so much."
Tributes are continuing to pour in online for Lynda following her funeral today.
Chris Evans highlighted the popularity of her book, which is riding high in the bestsellers list.
In July 2013, Lynda announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer and in September 2014 she revealed it is terminal. She died on October 19 2014.
Lynda Bellingham #1 by a mile in the best sellers list with There's Something I've Been Dying To Tell You. Long may her reign continue.
— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) November 2, 2014 Loose Women’s Denise Welch read to a round of applause an ode she had written about her friend Lynda during her funeral service.
She said: "I'll miss you Lynda very much as will everybody here
"There is no need to say how much you are loved, as today that is abundantly clear
"If you are looking down from wherever you are I am sure you will be having a hoot at the odd bods that loved you so dearly like Biggins in that bloody pink suit
"Your humour is what I will remember and the dirtiest laugh known to man.
Lynda's meticulously planned funeral was a touching, tearful and suitably theatrical affair, attended by family, friends and a raft of showbiz stars.
Fittingly, as her white flower-strewn coffin was carried from Parish church of St Bartholemew in Crewkerne, Somerset, There's No Business Like Showbusiness came blaring down the speakers. This was not your typical send-off.
Later, as her family said their private goodbyes grave-side, an electric display of fireworks went off, lighting up the surrounding countryside.
The 66-year-old star wanted to go with a bang - and that she did.
Earlier in the day around 300 fans had gathered to pay their respects to a woman whose talents graced both the stage and TV.
She was a Shakespearean actress but, to millions, Lynda Bellingham was best known as the Oxo mum.
This live blog is now closed.
To recap on today's events:
Lynda Bellingham's meticulously planned funeral today was a touching, tearful and suitably theatrical affair, attended by family, friends and a raft of showbiz stars.
Fittingly, as her white flower-strewn coffin was carried from Parish church of St Bartholemew in Crewkerne, Somerset, There's No Business Like Showbusiness came blaring down the speakers. This was not your typical send-off.
Later, as her family said their private goodbyes grave-side, an electric display of fireworks went off, lighting up the surrounding countryside.
The 66-year-old star wanted to go with a bang - and that she did.
Earlier in the day around 300 fans had gathered to pay their respects to a woman whose talents graced both the stage and TV.
She was a Shakespearean actress but, to millions, Lynda Bellingham was best known as the Oxo mum.
The 100 minute service, attended by stars including Maureen Lipman, Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes, Robert Lindsay, Julia Sawalha, Coronation Street's Gail Worth and her former Loose Women colleagues, was exactly how Lynda imagined it.
It began with her heartbroken husband, Michael Pattemore, and sons, Robert, 26, and Michael, 31, carrying her wooden coffin in, as mourners followed carrying single white roses.
Nimrod, from Elgar's Enigmas Variations, played as her close friend, Archdeacon of London Peter Delaney, addressed the congregation.
Best pal Christopher Biggins wore a pink suit because he knew it would have "put a smile on her face".
Laughter was most definitely a prevalent theme throughout the service.
But there were also tears.
As Biggins paid tribute, his voice began to crack and, with it, so did the scores of mourners inside the church.
When Maureen Lipman visibly broke down towards the end of her eloquent speech, fans outside also welled-up.
In the days before she died, Lynda had spoken about her desire to see one more Christmas.
She fell two months and five days short but the actress made sure that her final act included something suitably festive.
It came in the form of her favourite hymn, Away In A Manger, sung by the choir.
