Surprisingly ... ... nobody has yet mentioned the passing - on Sunday evening - of the popular Canadian-born, English stage and television actress ... whose face became so familiar to millions of British viewers in the 1980s for her portrayal of 'Mum'in the famous 'Oxo' adverts, and also as the second lady to play opposite fellow actor, Christopher Timothy as Mrs James Heriot in the Yorkshire-based veterinary series, 'All Creatures Great & Small'.

Seemed Lynda (66) was diagnosed with colon cancer 15 months ago. However, despite later being told her illness was terminal - and after discontinuing further chemotherapy in August this year - she remained "upbeat" for the sake of husband, Michael and her two grown sons by a previous marriage ... hoping against hope they'd all manage to spend one final Christmas together.

Sadly, ... it wasn't to be, I'm afraid.