Dame Diana Rigg dies aged 82

It has been confirmed that the legendary actress, died this morning, six months after being diagnosed with cancer. Her agent Simon Beresford said in a statement: ‘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. Dame Diana was an icon of theatre, film, and television. ‘She was the recipient of Bafta, Emmy, Tony and Evening Standard Awards for her work on stage and screen. Dame Diana 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.’

Her daughter Rachael Stirling said: ‘My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family. 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.’

The role turned her into a sex symbol overnight, which she was not comfortable with, and she fought against pay disparity by holding out for a £300 a week pay rise to sign onto the second series. Speaking about her fight for gender pay equality last year, Dame Diana said: ‘Not one woman in the industry supported me … Neither did Patrick [Macnee, her co-star]… But I was painted as this mercenary creature by the press when all I wanted was equality. It’s so depressing that we are still talking about the gender pay gap.’