Lynda Bellingham: Tributes paid to 'courageous' actress

Tributes have been paid to actress and presenter Lynda Bellingham, who has died at the age of 66.

The star, best known for her long-running role as a mother in the Oxo TV adverts, had been battling colon cancer since being diagnosed in July 2013.

Christopher Timothy, who played Bellingham's on-screen husband in vet drama All Creatures Great and Small, told BBC Breakfast: "She was a real friend. She was a life force. She was funny, she was loyal, talented and a great mum.

"On set, she was 'one of the boys' - she was naughty and funny. We've all been expecting it, but it is so unjust she didn't make her last Christmas as was her intention.

"Her honesty and her upfrontness was exactly what one knew and what you expected, but [her honesty about her illness] made it more painful. When people state things as they are, rather than colour it, is much more moving."

Michael Redfern, Bellingham's co-star in the Oxo adverts in the 1980s and '90s, told BBC News Bellingham was "amazing to work with".

"It was good fun to do as well," he said. "It's very hard not to get on with Lynda… everybody liked her, she knew everybody. She knew all the crew by name. She was a people person."

Speaking about her broad appeal, he said: "I think she was just normal, she was like the lady next door, the wife, the mother… she just had everything. Lynda never left the room quietly. She was a very jolly, open person.

"I hadn't contacted her initially as I didn't want to intrude… I was trying to get together a letter to send to her and then this happens... I didn't know what to say."