Lynda Bellingham

Lynda Bellingham

Several stars have sent messages of support to Lynda Bellingham after she revealed she has cancer.

The 65-year-old actress announced yesterday (16.07.13) she is battling the deadly disease, but she has been surrounded by positivity by her former co-stars including 'Loose Women' panellist Denise Welch, who tweeted Lynda from her honeymoon in France.

She wrote: "Stay strong!! #keepfighting #youwillbeatit xxx (sic)."

Former 'Loose Women' anchor Kate Thornton wrote: "Bellers, if anyone can take this illness on and show it who's boss it's you. Sending you love and strength xxx (sic)."

Rav Wilding added: "Sending lots of love Bellows, see you soon xx (sic)."

The actress - who lost her sister Barbara to lung cancer in 2008 - hasn't revealed what type of cancer she is suffering from but is taking time off from work in order to start treatment immediately.

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. (sic)"

Lynda's diagnosis means her plans to tour with Kay Mellor's play 'A Passionate Woman' - which is due to kick off at the end of the summer - have been put on hold, but Kay has promised she won't replace the 'Country House Sunday' host and will wait for her to make a full recovery.

She said: "No one is going to replace Lynda, we are going to wait for her to get better.

"We had a read through last week and she was just glorious, she made us all laugh and cry.

"She was vibrant and looked the picture of good health. If anyone can fight this Lynda can.

"The play will wait. Lynda has to get well, that's where my thoughts are now. She's a mother, a wife, a sister."