Dame Maggie Smith has died aged 89

The Oscar-winning actress Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89.

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, issued a statement saying: "It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith."

It continued: "She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

Born on 28 December 1934 in Ilford, Essex, Margaret Natalie Smith took to the silver screen and captured the hearts of the nation.

With her first TV role in 1955, she rose to fame with her breakthrough film role in 1965's Othello, in which she starred alongside Laurence Olivier and Michael Gambon. She won her first Academy Award for her performance in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969, and secured herself national treasure status with her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film franchise and in ITV's Downton Abbey, playing Violet Crawley.

She received numerous accolades for her acting, including two Academy Awards, five BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, four Primetime Emmy Awards, five Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Tony Award. She is one of only a few actresses to have achieved the 'Triple Crown of Acting', by winning the highest accolades for film, television and theatre.

Here, we look back on the distinguished actress's life and work.