Star Wars creator George Lucas has paid tribute to Carrie Fisher calling her an "extremely smart" and "talented" actress, writer and comedienne.

The star - best known for playing Princess Leia - died four days after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles.

The actress battled substance abuse, publishing a semi-autobiographical novel about a recovering drug addict film star and writing and performing in one-woman show; Wishful Drinking.

She said people often asked her about her state of mind after she became sober.

Warwick Davis starred with her in Return of the Jedi and says she was hugely influential in changing how women in film were viewed;

#AFewWords pic.twitter.com/rOKiPr7gP9

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) December 28, 2016