Skådespelerskan Dame Maggie Smith har gått bort, 89 år gammal. Hennes söner, Chris Larkin och Toby Stephens har genom deras publicist lämnat ett uttalande. De säger så här:

"It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.
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."

Maggie Smith är mest känd för den yngre generationen för hennes roll som Professor Minerva McGonogall i Harry Potter-filmerna. Hon spelade även Violet Crawley i Downton Abbey och vann tre Emmys för sin rollprestation. Våra tankar går till hennes familj och vänner.