As 2018 comes to a close many of us will take the opportunity to look back fondly on the last 12 months.
But the end of the year also affords us the chance to remember beloved and inspiring people who passed away over the course of the year.
From musicians to scientists, to civil rights activists, 2018 saw the loss of a number of inspiring figures.
Below, the Standard reflects on some of the faces we have lost this year.
Roger Bannister
The legendary British athlete, who was the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, died on March 2 in Oxford, aged 88.
He ran a mile in three minutes and 59.4 seconds in 1954.
Hubert de Givenchy
The French fashion designer founded the House of Givenchy. He died aged 91 on March 10.
The 6’6” aristocrat is famous for creating much of the wardrobe of Audrey Hepburn, including the iconic black dress she wore in film Breakfast At Tiffany's.
Sir Kenneth Dodd
The beloved Liverpudlian comedian passed away aged 90 on March 11, just two days after marrying his love of 40 years.
He was famous for his epic stand-up shows, his tickling sticks and Diddy Men.
Stephen Hawking
The ground-breaking physicist passed away aged 76, on March 14, after 50 years of battling motor neurone disease.
He is best-known for his theories on black holes and the 1988 book A Brief History of Time.
Jim Bowen
The former Bullseye presenter died on March 14 aged 80.
He hosted popular show in the 1980s and 90s, before making cameos in comedies like Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights and Jonathan Creek.
Bill Maynard
The former Heartbeat star and comedian died aged 89 on March 30, shortly after breaking his hip in a fall.
He was perhaps best known for his role as Claude Jeremiah Greengrass and starred in the police drama for eight years.
Ray Wilkins
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and England international midfielder died aged 61, on April 4.
He suffered a cardiac arrest and died after being put into an induced coma.
He was capped 84 times for the Three Lions.
Eric Bristow
The darts legend died following a heart attack on April 5, while attending a darts event in Liverpool.
He was a five-time world darts champion, known as the "Crafty Cockney", and won his first world title in 1980, beating Bobby George in a thrilling match.
Dale Winton
The Dale’s Supermarket Sweep host died aged 62 on April 18, his passing was treated as unexplained at first and a coroner ruled he died of natural causes.
He also presented gameshows In It to Win It and whole in the wall throughout his longstanding television career.
Avicii
The Swedish DJ and producer, real name Tim Bergling, died aged 28 on April 20.
His family stated the Grammy nominated artist took his own life.
Verne Troyer
The Austin Powers star, well-known for his role as Mini-Me, died on April 21 aged 49.
His death was ruled a suicide linked to the effects of alcohol – the star had openly detailed his problems with drink prior to his death.
Tessa Jowell
Dame Tessa Jowell died aged 70 in May 12 after a battle with brain cancer, she suffered a haemorrhage and was in a coma before she passed away.
She played a major role in securing the 2012 Olympics in London, when serving as culture secretary, and campaigned for more cancer treatment on the NHS in the months before her death.
Tom Wolfe
The renowned journalist and author, widely cited as an instigator of the ‘new journalism’ style died on May 14, aged 88, of an infection.
He is well-known for books such as the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and The Right Stuff.
Peter Stringfellow
The flamboyant nightclub owner died on June 7 after battling cancer.
He started in the nighttime trade in the 1960s and in 1980 he opened Stringfellows in Covent Garden in London's West End before going on to create venues worldwide.
Anthony Bourdain
The celebrity chef and TV personality was found dead in a France hotel room on June 8 aged 61, in an apparent suicide.
He wrote best-selling travel books and was most recently working on his programme Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Joe Jackson
The patriarch of the famous Jackson family died aged 89 on June 27, after reportedly battling pancreatic cancer.
He was known for creating the renowned Jackson 5 band, with his sons Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.
Barry Chuckle
Known as one half of the Chuckle Brothers comedy pairing, real name Barry Elliott passed away on August 5 after a spell of ill health.
He was renowned for his role in Chucklevision, with his and his brother Paul’s “to me to you” and “oh dear oh dear” catchphrase much-loved.
Aretha Franklin
The Grammy winner and so-called Queen of Soul passed away aged 76 on August 16 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
She enjoyed commercial success and global acclaim after signing to Atlantic Records in 1967 and releasing songs including Respect, Think and (You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman.
Kofi Annan
The Nobel Peace Prize winner died on August 18 following a short illness.
He was the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations and renowned for his humanitarian work.
John McCain
Vietnam war veteran and former Presidential candidate John McCain died on August 25 aged 81, after fighting brain cancer.
He was badly injured and spent more than five years as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down over North Vietnam in 1966.
Rachael Bland
The BBC newsreader and podcaster died after a battle with cancer aged 40 on September 5.
The mother and wife discussed coping with cancer openly as she fought the illness and announced that she had days to live shortly before her passing.
John Cunliffe
The Postman Pat creator died aged 85 on September 20 of heart failure.
He also created Rosie and Jim as well as writing books of stories and poetry for children.
Chas Hodges
Known for being one half of musical duo Chas and Dave, the performer died of pneumonia aged 74 on September 22.
English pop-rock duo Chas and Dave were known for using cockney style accents, with Hodges playing piano and guitar while sharing singing duties with Dave Peacock.
Burt Reynolds
The Smokey and the Bandit star died aged 82 after a heart attack in Florida on September 6.
As well as starring in a string of hit films in the 1970s, he more recently appeared in The Longest Yard and Boogie Nights – for the latter he received a best supporting actor Academy Award nomination.
Mac Miller
The platinum selling US rapper died aged 26 of an accidental drug overdose on September 7.
His debut album reached number one in the US Billboard 200 chart while he also produced for a number of successful artists including Vince Staples.
Geoffrey Hayes
The Rainbow presenter, who worked on the show between for around 20 years, passed away on September 30 after suffering from pneumonia.
It ran for over 1,000 episodes before being cancelled with the formation of Carlton television.
Ray Galton
The co-writer of classic sitcoms Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son died at the age of 88 on October 5.
His ground-breaking sitcoms, written with Alan Simpson, garnered millions of viewers and were British broadcast staples during their time on air.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
The Leicester City FC owner was one of five people to die in a tragic helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium on October 27.
The Thai billionaire was renowned for owning King Power and also taking Leicester to the Premier League title, overcoming 5000-1 odds, in the 2015/16 season.
Stan Lee
Marvel comic writing legend Lee died aged 95 on November 12.
He was known for making numerous cameo appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was a writer, editor and publisher at Marvel.
Nicolas Roeg
The London-born film director whose works include The Man Who Fell To Earth died at the age of 90 on November 23.
He was born in the capital on August 15, 1928, to Jack Nicolas and Mabel Gertrude Roeg and entered the film industry as a tea boy at Marylebone Studios following completing his national service in 1947.
Baroness Trumpington
The Tory peer and former Bletchley Park code-breaker, died aged 96 on November 26.
She worked in naval intelligence at Bletchley Park during the Second World War before embarking on her Parliamentary career in 1980, serving under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major.
George H. W. Bush
The former US president, who was the 41st person to serve in the role, died aged 94.
He served from 1989 to 1993, and eight years later watched his son George W Bush became the 43rd president.
Peter Armitage
Former Coronation Street star Armitage died on December 4 aged 78.
The actor, who had beaten bowel cancer four years earlier, was best known for playing Kevin Webster’s dad Bill on the long running soap.
Pete Shelley
The former Buzzcocks lead singer died aged 63 on December 6, from a suspected heart attack.
The punk band was best known for the song "Ever Fallen in Love" which was released in 1978.
Paddy Ashdown
The former Liberal Democrat leader's death was announced by the party, which he spearheaded from 1988 to 1999, on December 22.
He was called a "hero" and a "visionary" by politicians after his passing, which came aged 77 following a short illness.
Dolores O'Riordan
Irish singer O'Riordan died on January 15 at the age of 46.
It was later determined the Cranberries frontwoman had drowned in a London hotel room bath after drinking alcohol.
The band - Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler - posted a message on Twitter saying they were "devastated".
"The world has lost a true artist today," the statement said.
Emma Chambers
Vicar Of Dibley star Chambers died from natural causes on February 21 at the age of 53.
The actress portrayed the dim but lovable Alice Tinker opposite Dawn French's Geraldine Granger in the long-running BBC comedy.
She also played Hugh Grant's sister Honey in Richard Curtis' Bafta-winning film Notting Hill.
Leslie Grantham
Former EastEnders star Grantham died on June 15 at the age of 71.
The actor was best known for playing Dirty Den in the BBC soap.
He originally played the character from 1985 to 1989 - when the character was apparently killed off - but made a shock return to Albert Square in 2003.
Bernardo Bertolucci
Film-maker Bertolucci, who won Oscars for The Last Emperor and whose erotic drama Last Tango In Paris shocked the world, died on November 26.
The director passed away at his home in Rome.
He was 77.
