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Fans pay tribute after death of 'Doctor Who' companion Jackie Lane

Actress Jackie Lane, who plays new assistant Dodo in the sci-fi series Doctor Who.   (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
Jackie Lane played Dodo in 'Doctor Who'. (PA Images via Getty Images)

Doctor Who fans have paid tribute after the First Doctor’s companion Jackie Lane died at the age of 79.

The actor starred as Dodo Chaplet, a companion to William Hartnell’s Time Lord, in the sci-fi show in 1966.

News of her death was confirmed on Twitter by Fantom Films.

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“It is with deep regret that we announce that actress and friend Jackie Lane has sadly passed away,” the post said. “We pass on our sympathies to her family and friends. Jackie was best known to Doctor Who fans as companion Dodo Chaplet. RIP 1941 – 2021.”

The official Doctor Who account then tweeted a picture of Lane, writing: “We’re sad to hear that Jackie Lane has passed away, she played the First Doctor’s companion Dodo Chaplet.”

Doctor Who fans have been posting their condolences on social media.

“Saddened to hear this, she was among my favourite 1st Doctor companions and helped spearhead the series into 'the swinging sixties',” one person tweeted.

“Gonna miss her youthfulness and that infectious smile. God bless u queen,” said another.

Another person posted: “She and William are traveling through space and time together again.”

“Dodo will live in our hearts,” said another.

Others said they thought Lane was underrated.

“RIP - one of the forgotten companions & I thought she was great,” said one, while another said she was a “great asset” despite being “often overlooked” due to her relatively short stint on the programme.

Actress Jackie Lane, who plays new assistant Dodo in the sci-fi series Doctor Who. She is pictured with a Monoid monster (played by Raymond Byrom), a reptilian one-eyed race of sub-humans.   (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
Jackie Lane starred in Doctor Who in 1966. (PA Images via Getty Images)

Lane’s other television credits included 1959’s Grandad Was A Wrestler and Juke Box Jury.

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In 2013 she appeared in Doctor Who: The Afterparty, which celebrated the hit BBC series.

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