Mary Tamm Death: Doctor Who Actress Dies, Aged 62

The actress Mary Tamm, who played the role of Romana in Doctor Who, has passed away, following an 18-month battle with cancer, the UK's Daily Mirror reports. She was aged 62. Tamm was the first actress to play the role of Romana, alongside Tom Baker 's Doctor. Baker paid tribute to the actress, saying "she was a darling companion and wonderfully witty and kind. I'm so sorry to hear of her death."

Tamm was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to Estonian refugees. As well as starring in Doctor Who, Mary also featured in movies such as The Odessa File and The Likely Lads, as well as having recurring roles in popular British TV series such as Brookside and Eastenders. Most recently, she starred in Wire in the Blood and Jonathan Creek. Three years ago, she published her autobiography.

Her agent Barry Langford explained that Mary had been "saddened" by the recent deaths of her contemporaries, Elisabeth Sladen (who played Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who) and Angharad Rees. She is survived by her husband, Marcus Ringrose, as well as her daughter Lauren and her seven year-old son, Max. Langford had been Mary's agent for 22 years and said "She had a great zest for life. She was a fantastic actress - she played stage parts of such range, parts that would take your breath away. She could play any role, and do so wonderfully."