Elisabeth Sladen originally starred in Doctor Who for three years in the 1970s Doctor Who star Elisabeth Sladen, who was also in spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures, has died aged 63.
Sladen appeared as Doctor Who assistant Sarah Jane Smith in the BBC television sci-fi series between 1973 and 1976 opposite Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker.
In more recent times the Liverpool-born actress had appeared in four series of The Sarah Jane Adventures on children’s channel CBBC.
Sladen, who had a daughter, had been battling cancer for some time.
Sladen first appeared as Sarah Jane alongside the third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, and stayed for three-and-a-half seasons, also working with the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker.
Her character, a journalist, was renowned for being inquisitive and stronger than some of the Doctor’s other assistants.
After her time in the Tardis, Sladen returned to her native Liverpool where she worked in theatre.
She returned to the role on several occasions over the years and was given her own spin-off series on CBBC in 2007, in which she appeared with the most recent two Doctors, David Tennant and Matt Smith.
A BBC spokesman said: “It is with much sadness that we can announce Elisabeth Sladen, the much-loved actress best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and CBBC’s The Sarah Jane Adventures, passed away this morning. She was 63.”
CBBC controller Damian Kavanagh said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Lis’s untimely death”.
“Lis brought joy, excitement and a sense of wonder to her many fans in her role as Sarah Jane Smith. She was adored by our young audience and I know all of them will miss her as much as I will,” he said.
Russell T Davies, the creator of The Sarah Jane Adventures, said: “I absolutely loved Lis. She was funny and cheeky and clever and just simply wonderful. The universe was lucky to have Sarah Jane Smith, the world was lucky to have Lis.”
Sladen leaves actor husband Brian Miller and daughter Sadie.
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