RIP Doctor Who actress Elizabeth Sladen

[Raph's Girl]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13137674

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 went on to appear in four series of The Sarah Jane Adventures on children's channel CBBC.

BBC entertainment reporter Lizo Mzimba said she had had 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.

She returned to the role on several occasions over the years and was given her own spin-off series on children's channel CBBC in 2007, The Sarah Jane Adventures, on which she appeared with new 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."

NOOOO!!!!

[Candy Kappa]

awww, sad...

[TheCanadiandrome]

What???!!! Omfg!!! Noooo!!!!!

[Raph's Girl]

This has to be the saddest image ever

[TheCanadiandrome]

that is sad. she was mentioned last night on "InnerSpace" a show on SPACE that talks Scy-Fy and what a great loss this is to the world of Doctor Who

[Raph's Girl]

There will be a 15 min tribute to Sarah Jane on CBBC after the season premier of Doctor Who on BBC.

Also, here's what Tom Baker had to say on her passing:

http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv...-memories.html

"Sarah Jane dead? No, impossible! Impossible. Only last week I agreed to do six new audio adventures with her for Big Finish Productions," he wrote. "She can't be dead. But she is, she died yesterday morning. Cancer. I had no idea she was ill; she was so private, never wanted any fuss, and now, gone.

"A terrible blow to her friends and a shattering blow for all those fans of the program whose lives were touched every Saturday evening by her lovely heroic character, Sarah Jane Smith."

Recalling how he had joined the show, replacing third Doctor John Pertwee, Baker explained: "Lis Sladen was very important to me, you know. When I joined the little world of Doctor Who Lis was already a star.

"She had an enormous success with John Pertwee. She was good pals with The Brigadier, our beloved Nicholas Courtney; she knew all the regular directors. She was adored by Barry Letts, the producer who cast her in the role. She always said she was Barry's girl. It was for that reason she decided to leave the show. But it was not necessary at all. The fans adored her, Philip Hinchcliffe our new and glamorous producer adored her, so did David Maloney, her favorite director."

However, Baker said that he and Sladen soon clicked as she "laughed at my silly antics".

"We both came from Liverpool, that small detail helped," he said. "We both loved old movies. And quite suddenly Lis and Ian Marter and Tom Baker were a trio. It is so consoling when one is sad and bereft to remember the good times, the laughter, the glamour; yes, the glamour: we three switched on the lights at Blackpool! A very great honor. We performed a little melodrama directed by (guess who?) yes, David Maloney! And now Lis was adored by Ian Marter and Tom Baker too.

"And it never ceased. And in the evenings, Lis would simply disappear back to wherever we were staying and the rest of us would often be raucous! And too soon she decided to leave; no fuss at all, all was calm. And Philip Hinchcliffe gave her lovely farewell party at the Hilton. Those sweet memories of happy days with Lis Sladen, the lovely, witty, kind and so talented Lis Sladen."

He concluded: "I am consoled by the memories. I was there, I knew her, she was good to me and I shall always be grateful, and I shall miss her."

[TheCanadiandrome]

that was a very moving tribute from Tom Baker