Around two million people watched the late Lynda Bellingham's final interview on Loose Women - doubling the show's usual audience.

Viewers tuning in to ITV yesterday (October 22) saw her describing her hopes for the Christmas she would never see.

The actress had hoped for one more festive season after choosing to end treatment for her cancer, but died at the weekend, just days after making her decision public.

In the interview for Loose Women, on which she had been a regular panellist for a number of years, she assured her friends and colleagues that all would be "fine" and said she longed to be remembered for her honesty.

The programme recorded a peak audience of two million, a million more than usual, according to ratings figures.

Bellingham died in the arms of her husband, Michael Pattemore, at the age of 66 after cancer spread from her colon to other parts of her body.

She recorded her last interview earlier this month, saying she was "obsessed" with Christmas and was determined to see one more.

"Bloody right I am! I am. I AM," she insisted, during the interview with Janet Street Porter and Coleen Nolan in front of a studio audience, which included Mr Pattemore.

Bellingham was given a standing ovation as she entered the studio and went on to say how she wished to be remembered: "Just as an honest person. Honesty. We've been through this as Loose Women - you can't do Loose Women unless you're honest.

"You can't hide anything, it really is honest when we answer questions. That's why I felt I could write about it and people would trust.

"Trust is a huge thing. Not just as an actor, not just as a lover, not just as a wife, that trust thing. Just to say 'You could trust her'. As you know, I wanted to win an Oscar at 75 for Best Newcomer! Sadly that's gone out of the window."

The Prince of Wales has, meanwhile, paid a heartfelt tribute to Bellingham as he promoted a cause she supported - the importance of older workers.

Charles said he was "greatly saddened" by Bellingham's death, but praised her tireless work for others and described her as a marvellous actress.

For the past two years the celebrity had been an ambassador for the Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise (Prime), an organisation, now part of Charles's charity Business In The Community, which helps the over-50s start their own companies.

The heir to the throne's comments came as he spoke at the launch of a report that concludes the UK's older workforce should be better utilised for the benefit of the country and their own financial well-being.

Bellingham had been invited to the event some time ago but had declined due to her illness.

Charles told delegates attending the launch seminar at the central London offices of global accountants PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers): "Before referring to the work of Prime, I did just want to pay, if I may, a special tribute to Lynda Bellingham, who was, as many of you know, a wonderful ambassador for Prime.

"Personally I was greatly saddened to learn that she had passed away this week. As you know, she was not only a marvellous actress but also someone who worked tirelessly for others.

"So she really will be hugely missed."