'As funerals go it was fantastic' Coleen Nolan discusses Lynda Bellingham's final send-off
IT WAS Lynda Bellingham's funeral yesterday and the Loose Women team said a fond farewell to the former panelist on today's show.
Coleen Nolan discusses Lynda Belligham's funeral
Coleen Nolan, who attended the funeral, gave viewers a run-down of what's referred to as Lynda's final curtain.
She said: "As funerals go it was fantastic. Of course there were tears, but instantly when you were crying something would make you laugh.
"I was dreading the graveside but just as you thought 'I can't bare this' the fireworks started!"
There was a series of fireworks set off to mark Lynda's burial at St Bartholomew's Church in Crewkerne, Somerset.
Loose Women host Ruth Langsford said: "Lynda Bellingham was laid to rest yesterday with what, at times, felt more like a Royal Variety Show."
She added the actress was "going out with a bang".
The panel spoke about the star's send-off in Somerset yesterday
Christopher Biggins also spoke on the show
Coleen, who broke down on national TV after the actress's death was announced last month, added Lynda's sons read out a letter from their mother as part of the service.
She said: "They did it so beautifully but they were very supportive of each other."
Lynda's best friend Christopher Biggins, wearing the same pink suit he wore to the funeral yesterday, said the star had a 'wonderful send-off'.
He explained: "We shouldn't be sad anymore because we did give her the most wonderful send-off. There were 10 people who spoke and I was the last person. No-one repeated themselves.
"There were so many wonderful, wonderful things. The thing where we all went was when Michael and Robbie read the letter from their mother."
The audience applauded as Lynda's life was celebrated
Ruth Langsford said Lynda went 'out with a bang'
He added: "Laughter was the key thing. The 40 years I knew Lynda we never stopped laughing - until the end. I do hope when we die we hang around to see who's going to be at the funeral - and who's not more importantly!
"It is a taboo subject, no-one wants to confront death. I'm lucky I believe we're going on to a better place. The soul goes on and it goes on to enter someone else."
Showing how popular the talented actress really was more than 100 members of the public lined the path outside the church, ready to say goodbye to the star.
The actress had asked for a lively send-off, so her husband, Michael Pattemore, lined up a string of acts to make the funeral a Royal Variety-style celebration of the much-loved star's life.