Maggie Smith.

 A serious and highly talented actor has died. Maggie Smith, was 89 and played a number of outstanding roles over a long and distinguished career. I first met her at the National Theatre, at the Old Vic theatre in January 1965. She was Desdemona to Sir Lawrence Olivier, Othello.. She was also in the Dance of Death and Hay Fever. She was a memorable Beatrice in Much Ado about Nothing, with her future husband Robert Stephens. Maggie Smith, was a very private person and not a show off. I liked her very much. She was the fearsome Lady Grantham in Downton Abbey. There are few who can compare with her - she has taken he last curtain call. Another light has gone out.