Sladen 'can't explain Sarah Jane popularity'

Elisabeth Sladen has admitted that she cannot explain why her Doctor Who character Sarah Jane Smith is so popular with fans.

In an interview with the BBC, the actress stated that she is still amazed to be playing the role nearly 40 years after first signing on as the third Doctor's companion in 1973.

"I'd have to go back to Barry Letts – my first producer on Doctor Who. I owe him not just a great debt for work but for the way he handled the programme and my character," she said. "I was also fortunate with my Doctors, Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, because I think we worked so well together."