Which cancer did elisabeth sladen

While many fans were surprised by Sarah Jane's return to delight a modern generation, with hindsight it was an obvious decision. Sladen would often attend fan events both small and big, and would patiently sign autographs and pose for photographs, treating everyone with absolute courtesy.

Social networking sites have made it easy for people without blogs or semi-official outlets to leave their own messages. Jenjenpen said: "It feels as though the internet is crying. I wonder if she had any idea just how many lives she touched. Finally — and this brief tribute reflects only a handful of the tributes paid — the Den of Geek website lists a slew of warm words from fans on its Facebook page, but finishes: "There's perhaps no more fitting way to pay tribute to Elisabeth Sladen than to support your local cancer charities in her name.

In she was given her own spin-off series, the Sarah Jane Adventures, which introduced her to a new generation of fans. It was not generally known Ms Sladen had been suffering from ill health. She leaves behind her husband, the actor Brian Miller, and daughter Sadie. Warm tributes have been paid to the Liverpool-born actress, known to her friends and family as Lis. Russell T Davies, creator of The Sarah Jane Adventures, which won this year's RTS Award for best children's drama, said all those involved in the series had been left "reeling" at news of her death.

The universe was lucky to have Sarah Jane Smith and the world was lucky to have Lis. Current producer Steven Moffat said: "Never meet your heroes, wise people say. They weren't thinking of Lis Sladen. Sladen is widely regarded as the most beloved companion in the show's year-history, appearing alongside five Doctors in both the old and new versions of Doctor Who.

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. They weren't thinking of Lis Sladen.

She seemed invincible. The same woman who enchanted my childhood, enchanted my time on Doctor Who and enchanted generations who have watched her and fallen in love with her - just like I did.