RIP Mary Tamm

Mary Tamm, who played the first Romana alongside Tom Baker in the "Key to Time" series, has died aged 62 following a long battle with cancer. The full press release reads:

Doctor Who star Mary Tamm, who played companion Romana alongside Tom Baker, has died aged 62.

The actress, who was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, fought a long battle with cancer and died in hospital in London.

Agent Barry Langford, who confirmed the news, said she had a "zest for life".

Tamm's stage and screen career also included films The Odessa File and The Likely Lads, as well as recurring roles in EastEnders and Brookside.

"She was a fantastic actress," said Langford, who was her agent for 22 years.

Tamm joined the Doctor and K-9 on a quest for the Key to Time

"She played stage parts of such range, parts that would take your breath away. She could play any role, and do so wonderfully."

Tamm, who lived in London, had been suffering from cancer for 18 months.

She trained at Rada, beginning her career at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, alongside Derek Jacobi, Joan Sims and Ronnie Barker.

Her stage work included the roles of Amanda in Private Lives and Beverley in Abigail's Party.

She moved on to work in television and film. Her first feature film was Tales That Witness Madness, with Kim Novak.

More recently, she starred in Wire in the Blood, Paradise Heights and Jonathan Creek on TV.

The Stones of Blood was one of the six stories that Tamm was involved in

Actress Helen Lederer, a friend of Tamm's, said: "Mary was such an energised, talented woman with a great twinkle in her eye and she was so very beautiful."

Tamm leaves behind husband Marcus Ringrose, daughter Lauren and seven-year-old grandson Max.

Mr Ringrose paid tribute to her "sheer talent".

"Mary was truly beautiful in every way. On set and offstage, her earthy northern humour and self-deprecating wit brightened every occasion."

"We will miss her every day."

Her agent Langford revealed that Tamm had been saddened by the recent deaths of contemporaries Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who, and Angharad Rees, who died last weekend.

He said: "All of these people who she knew were going."

Our deepest condolences to Mary's family.