Elisabeth Sladen dies

And she didn't even look that, and despite what seems to have been an ongoing illness. Very sad news, and so soon after Nicholas Courtney passed away as well. It's the sole item on a red BBC News ticker (now with a quote from Moffat), which is a bit of a pres honour in itself, isn't it?

Now there's a slideshow of stills, a bit rushed as we can see "Elizabeth_Sladen_290209.jpg - Windows Picture and Fax Viewer" at the top.

David

BBC News are focusing on it quite heavily right now on the news channel, with Russell T Davies down the line, if anyone's interested.

To be honest, there should be a caption BEFORE the episode begins.

I am still deeply saddened by this news, but I would just like to ask how Newsround will take this news? There was slight uproar when Mark Speight died with the way his death was covered by Newsround.

Entirely different situations though.

Mark Speight killed himself and the Newsround issue was only caused due to the language used, or not used, as the case may be.

Elisabeth Sladen's died from cancer most probably, since she's suffered from it for some time.

Newsround has copious archived reports on its website about cancer, youngsters living with cancer and also the death of Jade Goody, who died from cancer. Not an alien concept to the viewership or readers to the website.

Newsround did a special show on cancer a few weeks ago.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_9440000/newsid_9440200/9440290.stm

Hopefully a caption for her and Nicholas Courtney who died a short while ago.

It may seem a little over the top for someone I never met, but I do feel almost as if a family member has died.

Such sad news, a fantastic actress!

I don't think there's anything else to add that others haven't mentioned, but I was genuinely saddened by this news. I didn't know she had been battling cancer.

newsround site has a report about it and info on feeling sad about things in the news

we are more open with children about death these days, look at how Blue Peter reported the passing of Karren Keating

I can see some of my pupils at work being sad about this as the love all the Dr Who stuff

If anyone is interested as to how Newsround reported the story, here is a special update shown at 9am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRILe8rlfiQ

She had filmed six out of 12 episodes from the next series of Sarah Jane. I would still air them in a special dedication to her week around Christmas and finally film a special 1 hour episode which is the death of Sarah Jane because it would be a shame to not have her character killed off if the actress has.