The husband of cancer-stricken actress Lynda Bellingham has spoken for the first time about her impending death, saying he doesn't know how he is going to cope without her.
Michael Pattemore has spoken of his heartbreak after the former 'Loose Women' star revealed she intends to stop having chemotherapy for her terminal cancer and wants to spend one last Christmas with her family.
Lynda Bellingham and her husband Michael Pattemore
“The past 10 years with Lynda have been the best of my life," he told Yours magazine.
“Believe it or not, we’ve never even argued, which I think is probably because we share the same sense of humour.
“She’s so funny when she’s telling her jokes and so genuinely kind, not to mention so talented. And she’s probably one of the most loving mothers I’ve ever seen.
“I am the most positive-thinking guy in the world. Unfortunately it doesn’t matter how positive I am on this one, the Good Lord is going to take her.
"End of. It’s scary and it’s going to create the biggest hole in my life. I just don’t know what the next few weeks will bring or how I’m going to cope.
"The only thing that’s giving me comfort is that Lynda is very much at peace with everything – we’ve managed to sort everything out.
“I just pray to God she gets to see Christmas Day again. It’s what she wants.”
Lynda, who was once known as the 'Oxo mum' thanks to appearance in the TV ads, has thanked fans for their support in an open letter sent to her former co-stars on ‘Loose Women’.
She told them: "Thank you so much for the support you have no idea how much it means to me. But please understand I am in a good place."
The much-loved actress went on to pass on some advice to viewers, saying: “Grasp it all, don't be afraid, enjoy the bits you can and tell your family you love them while you have the chance.”
The full interview with Lynda and Michael appears in Yours magazine – on sale now