Doctor Who star Elisabeth Sladen dies aged 63

'Doctor Who' star Elisabeth Sladen has died aged 63.

The actress - who first appeared as assistant Sarah Jane Smith in the BBC sci-fi series from 1973 to 1976 alongside Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker - passed away after a long battle with cancer this morning.

In a statement, the BBC 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."

In addition to her first run in the series in the 70s, she also reprised the character following the programme's return in 2005 starring in the Tenth Doctor story 'School Reunion' alongside David Tennant.

She appeared in two-part series four finale 'The Stolen Earth'/'Journey's End' and had a cameo in David's last adventure 'The End of Time'.

Elisabeth also played the character in four series of 'The Sarah Jane Adventures' on CBBC and appeared alongside current Doctor Matt Smith in the show's episode 'Death of the Doctor'.

She holds the distinct honour of appearing on screen with seven different regenerations of The Doctor - she met five different versions at once when she returned to the part in the 1983 storyline 'The Five Doctors' to mark the show's twentieth anniversary.

Stephen Fry publicly offered his condolences, noting her character had been an integral part of his childhood.

He wrote on twitter: "What terribly sad news about Elisabeth Sladen - her Sarah Jane was part of my childhood. Deepest sympathy to her family."

Elisabeth is survived by husband Brian Miller and their 26-year-old daughter Sadie Miller.