Beverly Hills 90210 actress Shannen Doherty dies aged 53

Heartbreaking news just in

The star was known for her roles in Beverly Hills 90210, as well as for her roles in Charmed and Little House on the Prarie.

Her death was announced by her publicist Leslie Sloane who issued a statement to People.

He wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease."

Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2015, and entered remission two years later.

However, in 2020, her cancer returned as stage four.

She told Good Morning America at the time: "I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways. There’s definitely days when I say “why me?”, and then I go, “well, why not me, who else besides me deserves this?” None of us do."

Later, she revealed that her cancer had spread to her brain, and was terminal.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family as a child and got her start at age 10 with a role on the series Father Murphy.

Michael Landon saw her in the series and cast her as Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie at age 11.

Doherty rose to fame in 1990 as the fresh-faced brunette Brenda Walsh on Fox’s Beverly Hills, 90210.

Her on-screen romance with Dylan - played by Luke Perry - spawned controversy in the first season for the storyline where Brenda considers losing her virginity.

Their later breakup, when Dylan hooked up with her best friend Kelly, played by Jenny Garth, was also big news, and the show was considered groundbreaking in its willingness to address topics like drug abuse and racism.

Tributes have been pouring in for the TV and film star on social media.

One user wrote: "Thank you Shannen Doherty for having played one of my favourite characters of all time. You and Prue Halliwell will always be remembered."

Another added: "RIP Shannen Doherty You were so so sweet and so kind to your fans. It was a joy to watch you interact with them."

One other person posted: "Literally devastated right now. RIP Shannen Doherty, one of my favourite actresses ever."