Shannen Doherty: Beverly Hills 90210 star dies aged 53 | Ents & Arts News

Shannen Doherty, the star of Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed, has died at the age of 53, according to People magazine.

The American star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. In December 2016, she posted a photograph of her first day of radiation, describing the treatment as “frightening”.

Last year, she had a brain tumour removed and revealed the disease had spread to her bones.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” the magazine cited Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane as saying.

“On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease.”

Doherty, who appeared in the 1989 teen comedy Heathers, became widely known for her portrayal of Brenda in 90210, which began the following year.

Brenda was a student from Minnesota who struggled to fit in with her classmates in the wealthy LA postcode.

Doherty left the show – which continued until 2000 – during its fourth season in 1994.

In 1998 Aaron Spelling, who produced 90210, cast Doherty in Charmed, a supernatural series in which she played Prue Halliwell, the oldest of three sisters with magical abilities.

Despite being a hit, behind-the-scenes turmoil was reported.

People magazine described Doherty as the “iconic ‘bad girl’ of the nineties”, saying she had a reputation for partying, turning up late on set and feuding with both her bosses and fellow actors.

Last year, in a podcast called Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, she said she took “full responsibility for her actions”.

She would “get a little carried away” at nightclubs in her early 20s, she added.