Downton Abbey star, Maggie Smith, has died, aged 89
A legend of British stage and screen has died.
Dame Maggie Smith, an actress best known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has died today (Friday) in London, aged 89.
She was a regular visitor to Highclere Castle in North Hampshire, the setting of the popular period drama Downton Abbey — which turned 14 yesterday (Thursday).
A statement released by her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, said: "It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
"She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
"We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."
Dame Maggie was born in Essex in 1934 and left school at 16 to study acting at the Oxford Playhouse.
She had a career spanning seven decades, winning two Academy Awards and numerous other accolades.