A string of famous faces have tragically died in 2024. The year got off to a solemn start as former political advisor Derek Draper died following a battle with long Covid, leading to heartbreaking tribute from his beloved wife, Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway.
Much-loved figures including Jonnie Irwin, Steve Wright and Dave Myers also died in the following months. The year has ended on a negative note, too, with the death of Black Country pop star Liam Payne, who shot to fame on The X Factor as part of One Direction.
Other celebrity deaths in 2023 included the likes of Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor and former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. BirminghamLive has collated the list of famous faces we have lost this year below.
January
Glynis Johns
The actress, known for her role as Mrs Banks in the 1964 film Mary Poppins, died on January 4, aged 100. The film star, who was “the last of old Hollywood”, was being looked after at an assisted living home in Los Angeles and died of natural causes.
Derek Draper
Kate Garraway with husband Derek Draper
(Image: ITV)
The beloved husband of Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway died on January 5, aged 56. The father-of-two was surrounded by his family when he passed away following a battle with long Covid.
David Soul
Starsky & Hutch actor David Soul passed away on January 5, aged 80 following a “valiant battle for life” in the “loving company” of family. He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, st. He was famed for playing Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson in the TV series which ran for 92 episodes in the 1970s, and had a cameo role in the 2004 remake.
Annie Nightingale
The Radio 1 DJ’s family announced she had died at her London home following a short illness on January 12. The 83-year-old MBE was the first female presenter on the station, starting in 1970 and was its longest-serving broadcaster.
Frank Farian
Boney M legend Frank Farian died “peacefully” on January 23 in his Miami apartment. The 82-year-old German-born singer and music producer was the mind behind hits like Daddy Cool and Rasputin.
February
Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers – the actor is best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies – died at the age of 76. His tragic death on February 1 was announced by his manager Matt Luber. Loved ones described Weathers – who also featured in The Mandalorian as Greef Karga – as a ‘beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend’.
Jonnie Irwin
Jonnie Irwin
(Image: Channel 4)
A Place in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin died at the age of 50 after battling cancer for more than three years. The devastating news of his death was announced on February 2. The dad-of-three ‘fought bravely’ with ‘unwavering strength and courage’, loved ones said.
Ian Lavender
The EastEnders and Dad’s Army star died on February 2, aged 77. He played Private Pike in the hit BBC sitcom.
Steve Wright
Radio legend Steve Wright was found dead at his flat in Marylebone, London, on February 12. His family confirmed he had died in a heartfelt statement: “It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright. In addition to his son, Tom, and daughter, Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother, Laurence and his father Richard.”
Robin Windsor
The former Strictly Come Dancing star was found dead at the age of 44 on February 19. Long-time Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood remembered Windsor as “one of the kindest, gentle, honest, funny and caring people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with”.
John Savident
Coronation Street’s John Savident passed away on February 21, aged 86. John was famous for playing the lovable Fred Elliott in the ITV soap. He was also in the first ‘Phantom of the Opera’ musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber in London in 1986.
Ewen MacIntosh
Ewen MacIntosh, who played Kevin Bishop in the BBC comedy The Office, died at the age of 50 on February 21. This led to an outpouring of online tributes from fans and famous friends. Ricky Gervais, who worked with Ewen on both The Office and After Life, said his passing was “extremely sad news”, adding he was “an absolute original”.
Dave Myers
Dave Myers
David “Dave” Myers – one half of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo, The Hairy Bikers, with fellow chef Simon “Si” King – died on February 28, aged 66. The TV chef had been fighting cancer for the past couple of years. King said he would “miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime” as he announced Myers’ death on social media.
March
George Gilbey
George Gilbey, who appeared on Channel 4’s Gogglebox reportedly died following a fall while ‘working from height’. The 40-year-old’s death on March 27 saw tributes flood in from fans, friends and celebrities.
April
Adrian Schiller
Actor Adrian Schiller sadly died at the age of 60. His agent confirmed the sad news and said his death on April 3 was ‘sudden and unexpected’. The agent from Scott Marshall Partners, who had worked with Adrian for over 30 years, said: “He has died far too soon, and we, his family and close friends are devastated by the loss.” Adrian had just come back from Sydney where he was acting in ‘The Lehman Trilogy’.
O.J Simpson
O.J Simpson died on April 10, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. The 76-year-old former NFL star’s official death certificate reported that he died following a battle with cancer.
Mike Pinder
Birmingham icon and Moody Blues founder Mike Pinder died at the age of 82 on April 24. The legendary Birmingham band, known for timeless classics like ‘Nights In White Satin’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, was formed by Ray Thomas, Denny Laine, Graeme Edge, Clint Warwick, and Pinder in 1964.
Brian McCardie
Actor Brian McCardie, who was best known for his role as the mafia boss John Thomas ‘Tommy’ Hunter in BBC drama Line of Duty died on April 28, aged 59. His wife Sarah announced the news on social media. She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Duane Eddy
Grammy-award winning artist Duane Eddy died on April 30, aged 86. Eddy was described in tributes as a trailblazing guitar player was behind the theme songs for TV series Rebel Rouser and Peter Gunn in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He influenced others like Bruce Springsteen, George Harrison and more.
May
Sam Rubin
Hollywood reporter Sam Rubin
(Image: ITV)
This Morning’s entertainment correspondent Sam Rubin passed away on May 10. The US veteran journalist was 64 and “regularly broadcast live” on the ITV show over the years. He was also an anchor for KTLA news in the US.
Morgan Spurlock
The 53-year-old documentary maker died after a battle with cancer on May 24. He was best known for the film Super Size Me, where he ate only food from McDonalds for 30 days as he investigated the harm fast food can do to the human body.
June
Rob Burrow
Former rugby player and disability campaigner Rob Burrow died aged 41 following a battle with motor neurone disease on June 2. The former Leeds Rhinos star, who retired from playing in 2017, was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and raised millions alongside former team-mate Kevin Sinfield to raise awareness of the disease.
Michael Mosley
Michael Mosley
(Image: 2019 Getty Images)
Well-known TV doctor Michael Mosley tragically died at the age of 67. The presenter and writer went missing during a walk on the Greek island of Symi, where his body was discovered on June 9 following an intensive search in a remote, rocky area.
Matija Šarkić
The Millwall goalkeeper tragically died at the age of 26 after falling ill. on June 15. The Grimsby-born Montenegro international – who played for a string of British clubs including Aston Villa, Wolves, Birmingham City and Stoke City – is reported to have become ill at an apartment in the town of Budva while on international duty.
Kevin Campbell
The former Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Everton striker, turned BBC pundit, died on June 15. The 54-year-old’s death came almost two weeks after it was revealed he was in hospital with a “serious illness.”
Donald Sutherland
The legendary Hollywood actor passed away at the age of 88 on June 20. His acting career spanned over seven decades after he broke onto the scene in the late 1960s. His son Kiefer Sutherland paid tribute and said: “I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.”
July
Ysanne Churchman
This Birmingham-born soap star pulled in huge ratings for The Archers- and her exit went down in drama “folklore”. Ysanne Churchman, who played Grace Archer passed away on July 4, aged 99.
Janet Andrewartha
Neighbours legend Janet Andrewartha passed away at age 72. Best remembered as Lyn Scully on Ramsay Street, the actress died in Melbourneon July 27, with her daughters Eloise and Sarah at her side.
August
Graham Thorpe
England cricket icon Graham Thorpe tragically ended his life on August 5 after a long battle with depression and anxiety. He is survived by his loving wife Amanda and their two daughters, Kitty, aged 22, and Emma, 19.
Sven-Goran Eriksson
Sven-Goran Eriksson
(Image: PA)
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson died on August 26, sparking a flood of tributes from the football world and beyond. The Swede, who managed the England men’s team between 2001 and 2006, was suffering with pancreatic cancer.
Fatman Scoop
US rapper Fatman Scoop died after collapsing mid-sentence on stage during a gig in Connecticut. Screams rang out as the 53-year-old singer fell to the floor after climbing topless into the DJ booth at the gig in Hamden on August 30.
September
Clive Everton
The “voice of snooker” – educated in Birmingham – died at the age of 87. A minute’s silence was observed as players competed for a trophy named for Clive Everton when his death was announced on September 27.
Dame Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith
(Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Downton Abbey and Harry Potter star Dame Maggie Smith passed away at the age of 89 on September 27. She is survived by her two sons, Chris and Toby.
October
George Baldock
The ex-Premier League player was found dead at his home, aged 31. The former Sheffield United defender, who spent time playing for Tamworth, was discovered at his Athens residence on on October 9, having tragically drowned in his swimming pool.
Liam Payne
Liam Payne
The Wolverhampton-born One Direction star died after falling from the balcony of his third floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The father-of-one was aged just 31 when he died on October 16.
November
Janey Godley
The 63-year-old comedian from Glasgow died peacefully on November 2, surrounded by her loved ones. She battled ovarian cancer after being diagnosed in 2021 and spent her final weeks in a hospice.
Quincy Jones
The musical juggernaut was mourned worldwide after he died on November 3. The 91-year-old was a celebrated American musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles.
Tony Todd
Tony Todd
Tony Todd played one of cinema’s most iconic villains Candyman, in the movie of the same name. The American father-of-two died of natural causes on November 6, at his home in Los Angeles. He enjoyed a successful acting career with hits including Final Destination, the Transformers films, The Crow, Night of the Living Dead and The Rock.
Timothy West
A British treasure, Timothy West was famous for his roles on stage and screen. Notable appearances included soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders, as well as television shows such as Not Going Out, Bedtime, Bleak House and Gentleman Jack. The actor, who was married to fellow actor Prunella Scales, died on November 13, aged 90.
December
Duncan Norvelle
The comedian, who rose to fame on ITV’s Saturday Royal variety show, died on December 12, aged 66. Duncan, who was known for his “Chase Me” catchphrase, suffered a stroke 12 years ago, which left half of his body paralysed. The funnyman is survived by his three children and partner Linda Trevallion.