'Doctor Who' Actress Mary Tamm Dies Aged 62

Doctor Who actress Mary Tamm died this morning after a long battle against cancer, her agent said. She was 62.

Tamm, who played the Doctor's companion Romana alongside Tom Baker, died at hospital in London. Her agent Barry Langford said she had a "zest for life".

Mary Tamm, with Dr Who (Tom Baker), in 1978. Mary played Romana, a Time Lady.

The actress was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the daughter of Estonian refugees, and had a long career on stage and screen.

As well as Doctor Who, she starred in films The Odessa File and The Likely Lads and had recurring roles in soaps Brookside and EastEnders.

Tamm leaves husband Marcus Ringrose, daughter Lauren and seven-year-old grandson Max. She had been suffering from cancer for 18 months.

Baker carries evidence of an encounter with a friend's dog, hence the plaster in his lip.

Mr Langford, her agent of 22 years, 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."

Tamm, who lived in Battersea, south London, trained at Rada. Her first professional job was at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre where she worked alongside Derek Jacobi, Joan Sims and Ronnie Barker. From there she moved on to television work and film, her first feature film being Tales That Witness Madness with Kim Novak.

She recently starred in Wire In The Blood, Paradise Heights and Jonathan Creek, with stage work including Amanda in Private Lives and Beverley in Abigail's Party. Her autobiography was published three years ago.

Mr Langford said 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 added: "All of these people who she knew were going."

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