They arrived quickly. And they appeared heartfelt, if not entirely from a place of shock, given the gravity of her health since being taken ill last week.

On Tuesday, Billie Lourd, Carrie Fisher’s daughter, announced that the 60-year-old actress had died, four days after suffered a cardiac arrest while on a flight from London.

“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8.55 this morning,” read a statement.

“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Within moments, tributes poured in from her fans, from other celebrities and from those actors who had shared the Star Wars adventure with her.

Her co-star Mark Hamill wrote on Twitter simply: “no words #Devastated.”

Carrie Fisher dies aged 60

In a statement, Harrison Ford said: "Carrie was one-of-a-kind ... brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. She lived her life, bravely."

Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in the franchise, said: "I'm deeply saddened at the news of Carrie's passing. She was a dear friend, whom I greatly respected and admired. The force is dark today!"

The Star Wars franchise's creator George Lucas described Fisher as "extremely smart" and "a talented actress, writer and comedienne with a very colourful personality that everyone loved".

“In Star Wars she was our great and powerful princess - feisty, wise and full of hope in a role that was more difficult than most people might think," he said.

Among other notable tributes was one from Stephen Fry.

“She was the brightest, funniest, bravest, kindest, cleverest and sweetest person I ever knew. A crushing blow to lose @carrieffisher," he wrote on Twitter.

Writer and actor Tina Fey said Fisher had "meant a lot to me".

"Like many women my age, Princess Leia occupies about sixty percent of my brain at any given time," she said.

"But Carrie's honest writing and her razor-sharp wit were an even greater gift. I feel so lucky that I got to meet her. I'm very sad she is gone."

The Star Trek actor William Shatner was the inhabitant of a different galaxy but he shared with Fisher both the the burden and privilege of cult fandom.

He said: “I'm deeply saddened to learn of the death of Carrie Fisher. I will miss our banterings. A wonderful talent & light has been extinguished.”

John Boyega, who played Finn in the 2015 Star Wars film, also paid tribute to Fisher.

Fisher's mother, the Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds, wrote in a message on Facebook: “Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. “I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carrie's Mother.”

Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars films, said there were no words for the loss. "Carrie was the brightest light in every room she entered. I will miss her dearly," he said.

Daisy Ridley expressed her grief in a succinct but emotional statement. "Devastated at this monumental loss," the co-star said. "How lucky we all are to have known her, and how awful that we have to say goodbye."