Oscar-winning actress Dame Maggie Smith, known for her role as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter, has died in hospital aged 89.

Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will remember her face as she was among the teaching staff at Hogwarts – the school where Harry Potter and other pupils learned their magic.

Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital on Friday morning.

They said in a statement: “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.

“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

Dame Maggie Smith as died agedDame Maggie Smith as died aged 89 (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.

“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Here are some of Dame Maggie Smith’s most memorable moments as Professor McGonagall.

5 of Maggie Smith’s memorable moments as Professor McGonagall

Battle with Professor Snape

An X (formerly Twitter) user shared a video of her battle with Professor Snape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, saying: “Dame Maggie Smith really gave us one of the best performances in Harry Potter on this scene as professor mcgonagall’s”.

Dancing scene with Ronald Weasley

Another moment that has stuck with Harry Potter fans is the scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where Professor McGonagall dances with Ronald Weasley.

Commenting on the news of her death and sharing the moment with a picture of the two dancing, one X user said: “The scene where Professor McGonagall dances with Ron is perfect. Dim the lights in Transfiguration class tonight. Sad news. Great performer.”

Voldemort's powers

A Youtube user commented: "Underrated quote: "You better call Voldemort by his name. He's gonna kill you either way"".

A Reddit user further explained this point, writing: "This line before McGonagall summons the stone statues to protect Hogwarts is probably one of the most wonderful messages and bitter pill we all need to take given how we often look uncomfortably at societal inequalities and reality.

"Sometimes in the light of injustice and pain, we stay away from saying things because we feel they may end up being interpreted the wrong way or seem standoffish, and feel comfortable being in the herd of folks muttering "You-Know-Who"

"Eventually though, these things do find a way of becoming bigger than we'd like - so much that we do have to address them. Fear begets fear and nothing else."

'Don't behave like baboons'

Also among Professor McGonagall's best moments is the scene where she tells her students not to behave like baboons.

A comment shared by Buzzfeed shares a quote from a reader (simrat_mann): "I love the part when Professor McGonagall says, 'I will not have you acting like a babbling bumbling band of baboons.' I just love the look on her face after she says that."

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'I've always wanted to use that spell'

Awaiting Voldemort's arrival in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, Professor McGonagall says proudly: "I've always wanted to use that spell".

One X user shared a clip of the scene, saying: "one of my fave scenes, shoutout Professor McGonagall".