Tributes have begun flooding in following the death of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter actress Dame Maggie Smith.

Dame Maggie died in hospital, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens revealed on Friday (September 27).

In a statement issued via their publicist, they said: “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.”

Tributes paid to Dame Maggie Smith

Tributes have begun flooding in following news of Dame Maggie's death, including from the likes of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and fellow Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville.

The Prime Minister praised Dame Maggie as a “true national treasure”.

Sir Keir Starmer said: “Dame Maggie Smith introduced us to new worlds with the countless stories she acted over her long career.

“She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.

“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.”

Bonneville, who played the son of Dame Maggie’s character in Downton Abbey, said in a statement: “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.

“She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances.

“My condolences to her boys and wider family.”

American actor Rob Lowe, who appeared with Dame Maggie Smith in 1993 BBC drama Suddenly, Last Summer, described his late co-star as a “lion”.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed. I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion.

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“She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!”

While, TV presenter and This Morning star Gyles Brandreth, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: "The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life.

"She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable."