Lynda Bellingham reveals cancer has worsened: 'I want to be remembered'

Lynda Bellingham has disclosed that her cancer battle has worsened and that she will soon stop chemotherapy.

The iconic television star announced that she was battling cancer in July 2013, but said at the time that her doctors had given her a positive prognosis.

© Rex Features / Ken McKay

Bellingham later issued a statement to her fans to thank them for their support as she underwent treatment.

A portion of her new book Memoir has been serialized in the Mail on Sunday , and it includes the revelation that she is planning to discontinue chemotherapy sessions in November due to her condition worsening.

"I am on such strong chemo now that my body is finally protesting," she wrote in a published excerpt. "Because I was in such pain and discomfort, I decided to go into the clinic and get some help with the symptoms."

The actress continued: "This is something I have not done all year because I wanted to deal with things by myself. But now the cancer - or rather the chemo - was getting to me. I sat down with [husband] Michael [Pattemore] and [physician] Professor Stebbing and announced: 'The time has come to cease and desist'.

"'I would love to make one more Christmas, if possible, but I want to stop taking chemo around November in order to pass away by the end of January'.

© Rex Features / Ken McKay

"It was such a relief to say the words. Please don't think I am giving up for the sake of a few ulcers, it is the fact my body has started to rot, and I promised myself as soon as that happened I would make a plan.

"I want my family to remember me whole. I want you all to remember me."

Bellingham has been a fixture of British television dating back to the 1970s, and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her charity work earlier this year.

She memorably played Helen Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small, in addition to portraying The Inquisitor in Doctor Who's 'Trial of a Time Lord' story arc.

The star more recently served as a panelist on Loose Women from 2007 to 2011.

Bellingham has been married to her current husband Michael Pattemore since 2008.

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