Obituary: Carrie Fisher, who has died aged 60

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Carrie Fisher has died aged 60.

The Star Wars actress died today following heart problems on a flight from London to the US last Friday.

Family spokesman Simon Halls released a statement to PEOPLE on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd:

“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” reads the statement.

“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly,” says Lourd. “Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Fisher played Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars, and was in the intensive care unit of a Los Angeles hospital.

She had heart problems during a flight from London to Los Angeles, and passengers attempted to revive her with CPR.

Fisher had been on tour promoting her latest book, The Princess Diarist.

The star was the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and grew up in showbiz.

She left Hollywood in 1973 to study acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

She got a role in Star Wars in 1977, aged just 19 years old.

The film propelled her to international fame.

Fisher also starred in 1980’s The Blues Brothers, The Man with One Red Shoe, Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986 and, later, When Harry Met Sally.

Following the news stars have Tweeted their reaction.