Mary Tamm, Doctor Who star, who played companion Romana alongside Tom Baker, has died aged 62.

Mary Tamm, who was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, fought a long battle with cancer and died in hospital in London.

Agent Barry Langford, who confirmed the news, said the actress had a “zest for life”.

Mary Tamm’s stage and screen career also included films The Odessa File and The Likely Lads, as well as recurring roles in EastEnders and Brookside.

Mary Tamm, Doctor Who star, who played companion Romana alongside Tom Baker, has died aged 62

“She was a fantastic actress,” said Barry Langford, who was her agent for 22 years.

“She played stage parts of such range, parts that would take your breath away. She could play any role, and do so wonderfully.”

Mary Tamm, who lived in London, had been suffering from cancer for 18 months.

She trained at Rada and after starting out at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, alongside Derek Jacobi, Joan Sims and Ronnie Barker, she then moved on to television work and film.

Mary Tamm’s first feature film was Tales That Witness Madness with Kim Novak, and she recently starred in Wire in the Blood, Paradise Heights and Jonathan Creek on TV.

Her stage work included the role of Amanda in Private Lives and Beverley in Abigail’s Party.

Mary Tamm leaves behind husband Marcus Ringrose, daughter Lauren and seven-year-old grandson Max.

Her agent Barry Langford revealed that Mary 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.

Barry Langford said: “All of these people who she knew were going.”