Speaking to Yours magazine today, he said: "I can tell you now that the words on her gravestone will be 'The curtain went up on May 31 1948, and the final curtain went down on October 19 2014."
He also revealed that he wanted people to remember her as an actress rather than a "celebrity" or Loose Women panellist.
"I just want her to be remembered as an actress more than anything - not as a celebrity or one of the Loose Women," he said.
"She started her career as an actress and never thought of herself as a celebrity. She's always been an actress."
Michael revealed the advanced state of her illness meant it was clear she would have been unable to die at home as she had dearly wished.
He added to the publication, for which his late wife was a columnist: "She was in too much pain and they didn't have it under control enough for me to be able to look after her."
The star is survived by her two sons and third husband [GETTY]
The star, who found fame as the mother in the OXO adverts in the eighties, announced she was stopping treatment for the disease last month in the hopes of having one more Christmas with her family.
In a statement on behalf of Bellingham's family, Latimer said: "Lynda died peacefully in her husband's arms yesterday at a London hospital.
"Lynda died peacefully in her husband's arms yesterday evening at a London hospital.
"Her family, to whom she was devoted, would like to thank the nurses and staff for their tremendous care and support.
"As an actor, writer and presenter, Lynda was a consummate professional to the very end.
She added: "Those of us privileged to have known her personally will miss the entertaining, life enhancing, true and honest friend that blessed our lives.
She received an OBE in 2013 [GETTY]
She was diagnosed in July last year and finished her chemo-therapy on August 13.
Speaking about her decision to end her treatment, she said: “The decision to give up chemo was a huge relief because I took back some control of myself."
“It’s there on the table if I want it. I don’t want the boys or my husband to see me die a little sad old lady. I want to go out there as I am.”
Lynda - whose farewell interview on Loose Women is set to air on Wednesday - had come to terms with her untimely death and insisted to friends and family that she was ready to go.
Speaking on Loose Women recently, she told viewers: "Grasp it all, don't be afraid, enjoy the bits you can and tell your family you love them while you have the chance."
Earlier today, the Loose Women panellists broke down as they remembered their beloved friend.
Sharing stories and anecdotes about the actress, the foursome - including Coleen Nolan, Nadi Sawalha, Jane Moore and Ruth Langsford - comforted one another as they laughed, joked and cried together.
She was a regular presenter on ITV's Loose Women for years [GETTY]
Introducing the show, Ruth said: “As I was saying to the audience just now obviously it’s a very sad day for us, the mood is very different here in the studio this morning.
"We want this to be a celebration of Lynda as well, she was such fun and so full of energy and verve but but we miss her so much.”
Visibly upset, Coleen added: "We miss her already, so much. It's so hard not to be sad and the only think I think will get me through the day is I can almost feel her behind me whacking me, saying 'get on with it.'
"She was such a strong woman right up until the end… brave and funny. I finished her autobiography and I laughed and I cried. The strength. It shines through in the whole book
and just the honesty of her. She was such a fantastic woman.”
and just the honesty of her. She was such a fantastic woman.”
Lynda spoke of her wishes for a 'knees-up' funeral in her book, There's Something I've Been Dying To Tell You.
Writing in the memoirs, she said: "Michael thinks it would be great for our friend Peter Delaney, the vicar who married us, to come down to Somerset – Michael’s old stomping ground and a place we love – and conduct the service there.
The Loose Women stars broke down as they remembered their friend earlier today [ITV]
'The curtain went up on May 31 1948, and the final curtain went down on October 19 2014' [WENN]
She added: "We have reached a compromise, I think, and there will be a service in Somerset and a knees-up in London. So if you are passing, do drop in for a quick boogie."
The 66-year-old was born in Montreal on May 31, 1948 after her father, an airline pilot, moved there for work, but she grew up near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
The 66-year-old was born in Montreal on May 31, 1948 after her father, an airline pilot, moved there for work, but she grew up near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
She got her first taste of stage success at school before going on to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama, followed by a steady succession of roles in theatre, film and television.
The mother-of-two went on to form a career on stage with appearences at the Old Vic and the Royal Court and in the West End production of Calendar Girls.
She was awarded an OBE in 2013 for charity work, and wrote her memoirs and a novel.
She married three times and is survived by her two sons.
The star remained positive throughout her illness [REX]
Bowel Cancer UK released the following statement: “At Bowel Cancer UK, we were all saddened to hear of the news of Lynda Bellingham’s death from advanced bowel cancer.”
“But unfortunately it’s all too common. Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer and that’s why we launched our Time for Guts campaign to improve survival rates and support for people with advanced bowel cancer, in an urgent bid to save more lives. Every year 41,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer which equates to a diagnosis every 15 minutes and around 16,000 people die of the disease.”
“A diagnosis of incurable cancer obviously has a huge impact on the patient but also their family and friends, which is often underestimated.”
“People deal with their diagnosis in different ways but it can have physical, psychological, and emotional effects, as well as causing financial and relationship issues. Therefore access to holistic support and care which is tailored to meet the needs of all those affected is essential. Some patients and their families also find it helpful to meet others in the same situation.”
“Access to best treatment and care is critical and currently in the UK that can be patchy. Some people are dying early because of late diagnosis and variations in treatment and care. This must be addressed urgently.”
