Matt Smith leads Elisabeth Sladen tributes

Current Doctor Matt Smith has today led tributes to Elisabeth Sladen, who passed away yesterday following a battle with cancer.

Matt Smith starred alongside the "Sarah Jane Smith" actress when he appeared in last year's series of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

"What struck me about Lis was her grace," Smith said. "She welcomed me, educated me, and delighted me with her tales and adventures on Doctor Who.

"And she also seemed to have a quality of youth that not many people retain as they go through life. Her grace and kindness will stay with me because she had such qualities in abundance and shared them freely."

He continued: "I will miss her, as will the world of Doctor Who and all the Doctors that had the good pleasure to work with Lis Sladen and travel the universe with Sarah Jane."

Steven Moffatt, Russell T Davies, Jon Culshaw, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Rufus Hound, Neil Gaiman, Mark Gatiss, Paul Cornell, Edgar Wright, Noel Clarke, John Barrowman and Nicola Bryant have also paid tribute to the actress.

The news of Elisabeth's death has been reported in many national newpapers and televised on BBC News, Newsnight and BBC Breakfast. News sources across the world have also covered the story.

(Source: Digital Spy)