Lynda Bellingham has been diagnosed with cancer she has revealed. The 65-year-old actress and presenter said in a statement she would be postponing work commitments while she undergoes treatment.
Bellingham, who became a household name in the 1970s when she played Nurse Hilda Price in ATV’s General Hospital, was due to tour in a theatre production of A Passionate Woman by Kay Mellor however has had to pull out of the 2013 dates for treatment.
I’m devastated not to be able to honour my commitments to the play this year, But having toured many times before, I’m aware of the sheer stamina needed and I need to prioritise my recovery.
That said, nothing’s going to stop me coming back next year, and I can’t wait to be ‘a passionate woman’. – Lynda Bellingham statement.
Bellingham is best known in recent times as the mother in the Oxo television commercials, a regular panellist on ITV debate show Loose Women and host of regal abodes documentary series Country House Sunday.
Other roles include parts in LWT prison drama Within These Walls, Thames Television’s police saga The Bill and BBC One’s veterinary drama All Creatures Great and Small.
Lynda is a keen supporter of cancer charities Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support following the death of her sister from the disease. The tour of A Passionate Woman was due to begin in September.
As Nurse Hilda Price in ATV’s General Hospital, 1972
In LWT’s Within These Walls as Yvonne Melton
As baddie Irene Radford in Thames Television’s The Bill
Lynda hosts Country House Sunday for ITV
Loose Women: Lynda with Carol McGiffin and Jane McDonald
Very sorry to hear this. Loved her in Second Thoughts.
Hoping for the best to you Lynda. I remember you on ATV soap General Hospital.