Lynda Bellingham's co-stars on Loose Women paid a tearful tribute to her on the show only hours after her death was announced.

The star had colon cancer, which later spread to her lungs and liver, and died yesterday aged 66.

Today's show began with tributes to Lynda and co-host Coleen Nolan said: "It's so hard not to be sad and the only thing I think will get me through the day is I can almost feel her behind me whacking me, saying 'get on with it'."

The ITV show heard from an emotional Christopher Biggins who said the news was "unbelievable".

He said: "I will remember the laughter, the joy of being with her."

They also heard from Jane McDonald, who appeared on the panel show with her, who praised her widower Michael.

She told the show he had "been unbelievable throughout this whole experience, he has been a rock".

Speaking about her former co-star, she said: "She would be mortified if we were all sad and weeping and wailing because Lynda was a fun, fabulous amazing person."

Bellingham, who was diagnosed with cancer last July, said she decided to end her treatment on August 13 to limit the amount of suffering her family would witness.

Lynda had filmed a special farewell episode of Loose Women, which will air on October 22, in which she received a standing ovation.