The sad, but not totally unexpected, news from the States is that Carrie Fisher has passed away after going into cardiac arrest on December 23.
“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 a family statement. “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
Leading the tributes, her Star Wars co-star, Harrison Ford, proffers: "Carrie was one-of-a-kind, brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. She lived her life, bravely. My thoughts are with her daughter Billie, her Mother Debbie, her brother Todd and her many friends. We will all miss her."
Scroll down for more celebrity reaction to her tragic death...

no words #Devastated pic.twitter.com/R9Xo7IBKmh

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) December 27, 2016

Carrie Fisher has passed, she was funnier&smarter than anyone had the right to be. Sail On Silver Girl. Condolences Debbie & Billie
R.I.P.

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) December 27, 2016

The toughest princess in the galaxy. We'll miss you, Carrie. pic.twitter.com/B63zm0AT8K

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) December 27, 2016

R.I.P Carrie Fisher, this isnt ok. So sad to see this big pary of my life leave. In loving memory of avttess and writer

— Eddie Redmayne? (@mainredmayne) December 27, 2016

My deepest condolences to Carrie's family and friends, and rather selfishly as a fan, I shall grieve her passing too https://t.co/KFYd2wLZ9A

— Johnny Vegas (@JohnnyVegasReal) December 27, 2016

This is awful. Another one of the good, funny, smart ones gone while the worst ones thrive. #CarrieFisher

— Paul Duane (@MrPaulDuane) December 27, 2016