Dame Maggie Smith, star of stage and screen, has died aged 89

Dame Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey (Image: ITV)

Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89.

The news was confirmed in a statement given by her two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September,” they said.

“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.”

A titan of the stage and screen, and a genuine national treasure, Smith was the recipient of two

READ MORE OF THIS POST AT Attitude