Lynda Bellingham said today she was 'in a good place' after making public her decision to end chemotherapy within a few weeks.
The 66-year-old star, best known for her long-running role as a mum in the Oxo TV adverts, has been battling colon cancer, which later spread to the lungs and liver, since being diagnosed in July last year.
The actress sent a message to her old colleagues on ITV's Loose Women today thanking them - and viewers - for their support.
"You have no idea how much it means to me. But please understand I am in a good place. It is essential to feel you have some control of your life, " she said.
Her decision to end her treatment was revealed in a newspaper serialisation of her forthcoming autobiography. She has said she would like to see one last Christmas.
In her message to Loose Women, she continued: "Grasp it all, don't be afraid, enjoy the bits you can and tell your family you love them while you have the chance. Again thank you for all the years of support you have given me. You are the Loose Women and we are the best."
Lynda emailed and sent a text message to the programme, but was unable to phone in as the presenters had hoped because she was actually receiving treatment at the time of the show, saying she was in her 'chemo chair, sucking up the drugs'.
One of the daytime show's co-hosts Coleen Nolan said: "Lynda is still being Lynda. Her texts are so funny and dry humoured. You can't help but respond to that, she's still very upbeat. She's a fantastic lady."
