There's Something I've Been Dying to Tell You

by Lynda Bellingham

Lynda Bellingham was a tremendously gifted storyteller with a rich collection of tales of love, loss and laughter and this memoir brings her kind heart, courage and emotion to the page in vivid detail. "There's Something I've Been Dying To Tell You "is a brave memoir about Lynda's battle with cancer, facing death she found joy and shared it with millions. Her story is an affecting and at times heart-breaking one but it is so often laugh-out-loud too and ultimately the way Lynda told her life story serves as a great inspiration to us all.

Woven into this very moving and brave story are extraordinary, colourful tales of her acting and family life that will enlighten and entertain as well as the journey that Lynda has taken to find the family of her birth father having already suffered heartache in her search for her birth mother. In the search for her father's family, Lynda finds a family with a history in entertainment showing that acting was always in the blood.

This book was written in Lynda's final months and revealed for the first time, and in great detail, her fight with cancer and how her life was transformed since her diagnosis. This edition includes a brand new chapter written by Lynda's husband Michael about his love for her, her love of life and her glorious final send-off.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Death, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2014

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, the effervescent Lynda Bellingham is no longer with us. Here, Lynda shares with us readers, her journey through the battles and pitfalls of colon cancer, which are naturally extremely moving at times, but Lynda being Lynda, there are also many moments of laughter and humour, as well as those moments that she hangs onto, those moments to treasure while she can. It was a battle well fought but sadly lost. The chapter where she writes her goodbye letters to her husband and sons was particularly hard to read. There is also an additional chapter in this particular edition, written after Lynda's passing by her husband Michael which of course was deeply moving but a tribute to a lovely popular lady.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5*

I always liked watching Lynda Bellingham on TV, and was saddened to hear that yet another person had died from this bloody awful disease. A very brave lady that could talk about her illness on TV etc. Reading the book was a very emotional journey for me, as I was still recovering from my own Cancer treatment. Lynda is very open and honest about her cancer journey. She talks about diagnosis, treatment, emotional and psychological effects, family etc., and how all these impact on her life, her family and friends. Anyone that has been affected by cancer in any way, will know what a roller coaster journey cancer is. Lynda shows strength and determination - an inspiration to others. Very sad that she didn't survive the journey.

[Bryony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Five stars for bravery but only two for the book I'm afraid

[Sian Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

for me this book is as personal as it is for Linda , the shock and anger the braveness the rush to get as much into you love one's final days. the memories . yep . so so nice if you can call it that ( linda died last week ) to feel a connection with her and her family.
going to miss Linda as much as her family and friends and fans will . but im going to miss her more because this book is so close to my own loss. its never easy , but at last someone has wrote all about it in a down to earth no messing manor and this is way ive always loved Linda .

she wrote this book from the heart , everyone has to read this ( its not soppy its down to earth and no messing no fluffy etc it just lets get on i have to much to do to die of cancer)

[Roz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this book. Lynda Bellingham had such a good personality and I've always enjoyed seeing her on tv. However, the book is really badly written and I struggled to maintain any interest to the extent that I had to abandon the book.

I can only think that publication was rushed due to her health and that full editing was skipped.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Linda's extremely honest account of how she dealt with her condition and her wishes for her final few months. How sad that she never got to see the final Christmas that meant so much to her. It was very well written- I have her two novels to read and am looking forward to those.

[Sally Flint · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would only really be of interest if you are either a fan of Lynda B (obviously!) or you are interested in learning more about colon cancer. She wrote it when she knew she only had a few months left to love, so you have to admire her bravery and courage in sharing her story. (I'm not joining the cynics who are talking about the cash-she wouldn't have spent her last months writing it if that was all it was for. Her voice really does come out from the pages and it keeps her very much alive. To be really truthful, I found it a bit long and some of the showbiz stories a bit tedious, but her exploration of her and cancer was really interesting. Also, it was good to find out more about her family - I'm afeared the husband will be back on the bottle big time now. I think it is a good read for nosey people! It is a bit of a tear jerker, especially the letters at the end. I was reading it in a restaurant and I think the customers thought that I most be midst personal crisis when I was snuffling away! A fitting tribute for a popular actress and an honest exploration of a difficult subject.

[janet breider · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much more than just the oxo lady....

My sister sadly died in March 2015.. in her last days in the John Eastwood hospice as I had some precious time on my own with her she was struggling to get me to understand as her mouth ulcers made talking difficult.. eventually I realised she was asking for this book.. it was the last book she read and I believe gave her great strength to face her final journey. There are so many remarkable similarities between these two amazing ladies.
I finally felt ready to read this on what would have been my sister Johanna's birthday. September 11th. Lynda's words helped me to appreciate once again the incredible thing that is the human being.. cancer is so cruel, it's attacks without thought or reason, but it also gives us a wake up call.. make the time to be with family, forget those silly feuds or grudges, life is so fleeting. God bless you Lynda, you gave my sister something that as much as we loved her we could never understand what it is to be 'the one' with the terminal cancer.. you helped her in a way we couldn't and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. X x P.S. this is not a sad book, it's a fab book

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this was an emotional read as you knew how the ending would go.I had seen a lot of tributes to her on television this year, and it was sad to hear of her death. Full marks to Lynda Bellingham for writing this book which is really a chronicle of her diagnosis of colon cancer to her death this year. She is a brave woman and does not sugar coat the roller coaster ride of diagnosis, chemo and ultimately facing death.

But rather than being a totally grim read, the story is peppered with fun stories from her life and full of the love she has for her husband and her children. So sad that her time with them was cut short, you could feel her pain at the thought of leaving them.

I wish there were more stories about such interesting hard working people and real stories like this rather than all the pseudo celebrities we are force fed every day.

[Joanne Lidford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book to read, very open and honest - just how Lynda was, very moving as I read it a few days after her untimely death, the thing that stood out the most was that she had found such happiness with Michael, cancer is such a terrible disease. I've been an admirer of hers since she took over from Carol Drinkwater as Helen in All Creatures Great & Small (even though I was very young at the time) and almost met her when I went to see Calendar Girls in Newcastle, I wrote to her afterwards to say how much I had enjoyed the play and almost met her, within a couple of days she had written back to me saying she hoped that next time we would actually meet, sadly that's not going to happen now but I was so touched that she took the time. RIP Lynda xxxx

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time ive read a novel wanted to read this book as lost family to cancer its her life story of being an actress and dealing with chemo and her family its a heart felt story and emotional to read.moving story.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really heartwarming book. Couldnt put it down. Very good book from a very strong, admireable lady

[Rob Twinem · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brave story about a brave lady no longer with us.

[Maren Dallmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulously courageous and inspiring book which I would recommend to anyone without hesitation. Despite the fact that Lynda knew she didn't have long left, her funny and warm personality shines through on every page. This book made me laugh one minute and cry the next but at the same time it was also incredibly inspiring. I think Lynda has done a great job here and is helping so many people long after she's gone, which was her intention. Apart from that it's just a really good read as well. Written with great warmth and humour.

[Laura Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting read, mixed with funny and sad bits. Lynda talks about how she was told she had cancer, how her and the family have dealt with it and her diagnosis , and talks about how she faced dying , she wanted to live for one last christmas but sadly didn't make it, I think it's amazing even tho she was so ill and knew she didn't have long left , she was thinking of others by wanting to write this book and still managing to keep smiling. My heart goes out to her family . What an inspiration, Lynda Bellingham was x

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like my autobiographies/biographies because I'm essentially a nosy cow, so picking through the details of a celebrity's life is kind of like emotional catnip for me. Having said that, I didn't know Lynda Bellingham was sick, let alone that she'd died not long after the completion of this book. It's all very sad, really, and the "uplifting bestseller" didn't really live up to expectations. I wasn't uplifted so much as reminded that life is really precious and you have to get your arse in gear and get on with it so you can cram everything in.

Poor Lynda. RIP, Oxo mum.

[Jane Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

I chose this rating as I couldn't put this book down. I was engrossed. What a wonderful, caring person Lynda Bellingham was.
She wrote openly & honestly about her cancer, her career and her family.
Sometimes sad, sometimes funny.
Will definitely read more of her books.

[Julie Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took this away on holiday. Couldn't put it down! Saw one of her final interviews, just a couple of weeks before she died. Telling everyone about the book, but emphasising more the importance of talking to our loved ones if/ when we know we are terminally ill. Bravely written, poignant, funny, sometimes graphic, always honest.

[Donna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and meaningful insight into Lynda's last months...her emotions, theories and regrets were heartbreaking. Smiling moments, teary moments and uncomfortable moments all in this book. A good read but make sure the tissues are handy!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully & honestly written, although obviously very sad, it is also uplifting & inspiring.

[Lazy Cornish Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to review this book and find the right words. Lynda may you rest in peace and be with your family in spirit this Christmas.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant inspiring book! It is funny, sad, thought provoking and just really interesting to read, cancer is awful :-(

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutally honest. Finished it just after she died, what a brave lady. RIP Lynda.

[Su · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming and honest book by Lynda about her battle with colon cancer. I wondered how she would end the book and the letters left for her family were the perfect way to do so. RIP Lynda

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully emotiotive book. RIP Lynda

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an amazing and honest insight to Lynda's fight with cancer could not put this book down, definitely read with a box of tissues she will have you crying with laughter and heart break

[Marie Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad but very informative. I think she did a great job and was a wonderful woman.

[Sue Ansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring. Learned alot about the person behind the celebrity...appearances can definitely be deceiving. Poor woman, God rest her soul. x

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a loving, wonderful, courageous and funny woman. Perform among the angels Lynda.

[Tina Yarrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

She wrote, very much, as she talked and you could hear her telling her story as you read through the chapters! One brave lady who lived her life to the full!