Dame Diana Rigg has died from cancer at the age of 82.
The legendary actor, known for her roles in the likes of The Avengers, James Bond and Game Of Thrones, died at home on Thursday morning, her agent confirmed.
In a statement, Simon Beresford said: “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Dame Diana Rigg died peacefully early this morning.
“She was at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”
He continued: “Dame Diana was an icon of theatre, film, and television... [She] was a much loved and admired member of her profession, a force of nature who loved her work and her fellow actors.
“She will be greatly missed.”
Dame Diana was diagnosed with cancer in March, her daughter – actress Rachael Stirling – said.
In her own statement, Rachael said she would miss her “Beloved Ma” “beyond words”.
She said: “She died of cancer diagnosed in March, and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. I will miss her beyond words.”
During a career that spanned over 60 years, Dame Diana was the recipient of Bafta, Emmy, Tony and Evening Standard Awards for her work on stage and screen.
After a number of smaller TV roles, Diana shot to fame in 1965 when she was cast as Emma Peel in TV series The Avengers.
From there, she went on to play James Bond’s wife, Countess Teresa di Vicenzo, in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969 opposite George Lazenby as 007.
In 1994, Diana was made a dame for services to drama.
More recently, Diana played Olenna Tyrell in Game Of Thrones from 2013 to 2017, and appeared in the second series of ITV’s Victoria.
Bafta paid tribute to Diana in a statement on Twitter, which read: “We’re sad to hear of the passing of Dame Diana Rigg, Bafta-winner for her performance in Mother Love in 1990 and joint recipient of the Bafta Television Special Award in 2000 for The Avengers.”
Playwright Sir David Hare also said: “Diana Rigg had a dazzling change of direction in middle age as a great classical actor.
“When Emma Peel played Euripides’ Medea, Albee’s Martha and Brecht’s Mother Courage she swept all before her.”
Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard added: “For half her life Diana was the most beautiful woman in the room, but she was what used to be called a trooper.
“She went to work with her sleeves rolled up and a smile for everyone. Her talent was luminous.”