Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

Elisabeth Sladen, the actress who portrayed TV timelord Doctor Who's most long-serving assistant, has died at the age of 63.

Sladen played Sarah Jane Smith, the sidekick of Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker's time travelling doctors, for a decade.

She first appeared on the cult sci-fi show in 1973 and returned in 2006 for a four-year stint on the programme.

Her character landed Sladen a spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The actress lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday.

A statement from Sarah Jane Adventures creator and Doctor Who writer Russell T. Davies reads, "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."

Re: Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

This was a real shock to hear about.
Very very sad indeed.

Re: Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

I will miss her! She was my first companion.

Re: Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

yes ,,,,,,, Tom Baker was the only Dr Who I really liked at the time .... she was fun with K9

Re: Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

Mr Smith I need you!
Going to watch an episode or two today.

Re: Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

Same here. In fact, it was the Talons of Wen Chiang. First Who story I ever watched. Way back in the 70s on PBS. They showed 2 half hour episodes every day at 6:00 pm.

Glad I recorded all the TB episodes and burned them on to DVD when I did.

Re: Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

she wasn't my favorite companion but she more than made up for it in "School Reunion". RIP

Re: Doctor Who star Sladen dead at 63
 

Slight goof on my part. " Talons " was a Leela episode/story. My first Sara Jane story was " Ark in Space ".