In a statement released on Monday night, the 65-year-old actress announced that she has postponed her role in Kay Mellor’s A Passionate Women tour to undergo treatment for the unnamed cancer.
Lynda, who lost her sister Barbara to lung cancer in 2008 said: ‘I’m devastated not to be able to honour my commitments to the play this year.’
‘But having toured many times before, I’m aware of the sheer stamina needed and I need to prioritise my recovery.’
Loose Women presenter added: ‘That said, nothing’s going to stop me coming back next year, and I can’t wait to be ‘a passionate woman.’
‘I’m devastated not to be able to honour my commitments to the play this year.’
Lynda has been a supporter of charities such as Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support since her sister lost her battle to the disease aged just 56.
‘Like all women I’m aware of breast cancer. I get the tests, check for lumps, read all the publicity. But I thought of lung cancer as a man’s disease, and I certainly had no idea of what symptoms to look out for,’ she said after sisters passing.
Speaking about the mum-of-two Sheffield Theatres artistic director Daniel Evans said: ‘A Passionate Woman is an extraordinary play about an extraordinary woman and that woman is Lynda Bellingham.’
‘She is the heart of this production and it’s inconceivable that we would do it without her,’ he continued.
‘Our priority is to Lynda and her health and we look forward to welcoming her back soon.’