Following the death of Doctor Who star Elisabeth Sladen, the BBC have reportedly decided to contine broadcasting The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Filming for the show was already underway when the much loved actress Elisabeth Sladen tragically passed away having succumbed to cancer. Now, according to The Sun, the show is set to continue with writers coming up with a way of explaining her absence.

The BBC had been unsure as to what to do with the footage for Season 5, but now the paper claims that the remaining epsidoes of the show will be rewritten.

“Writers will find a way to complete the series without Sarah,” a source said. “Fans will be thrilled to know it is returning.”

Whilst this may be a fitting tribute to the star, fans shouldn’t get excited just yet. Following the reports that the show would continue, series writer Gareth Roberts posted on his Twitter denying the rumours, insisting that “The story… re SJA is not true.”

Before her death, Sladen had filmed three two-part stories, including one written by Roberts. It is curently unknown if or when these will air.

Update: The BBC have announced that no new episodes will be shot but that the episodes already recorded will be aired on CBBC. They wrote,

“Contrary to press reports today we can confirm that no new episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures will be filmed following the tragic death of actress Elisabeth Sladen in April, 2011. As a tribute to Elisabeth the six episodes that were recorded with her last year will be broadcast on CBBC at a date to be confirmed.”