I will put this in the questions page also.

Leave it until the late winter early spring Mum and then cut it back to the size you want it to be just as normal above a strong pair of buds. It will probably be late flowering, but it should be fine.

thanks Karen, the problem with it is that the stems look old and dry further down the shrub and was thinking it might die altogether. It will leave a huge gap if it does die. I did ask about it on the question page and Bamboo has told me what to do. Still not quite happy to chop it but will give it a go if I lose it will just have to find another plant to fill the gap. lol good excuse to go to g.c. next year, not that I need an excuse. lol