With now only six contestants remaining, the 20th season of BBC's popular dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing, will soon be coming to an end. This series has offered up an array of tears, smiles and stars - and previous seasons have been no different.
Over the years viewers have seen all kinds of scandals and drama, as well as routines and celebrities. As of 2022, there have been more than 200 celebs take part in the hit programme since it first began back in 2004.
However, not all of the celebrities who have danced on the show are still with us. So as reported by WalesOnline, here's a look in tribute to those who have sadly passed away since appearing on Strictly and their time on the programme.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly make semi final announcement
Caroline Flack
In 2014, the Love Island presenter lifted the Glitterball trophy as her and her professional dance partner Pasha Kovalev won after wowing the judges week by week. One of the most memorable routines the couple danced were the elegant performance to Robbie Williams' 'Angels'.
In their final series, the couple scored a whopping 120 points altogether - the highest a couple had ever secured on the show. Upon winning, Caroline spoke of her joy and how much fun she's had on the programme. "This has been the best experience of my whole life, mostly because of Pasha, but also because of the other contestants. I'm so lucky to get to know this incredible bunch of people," she said.
In February 2020, Caroline tragically passed away at the age of 40. At her inquest, a coroner ruled her death as suicide. At the time, judge Bruno Tonioli said: "She really was a joy. We will always love Caroline and we will never forget her." Her dance partner, Pasha, said: “When she was dancing, it was like no one else existed."
Bill Turnbull
Bill took part in Strictly when it was in its third series. He was partnered up with pro dancer Karen Hardy and the pair achieved sixth place in 2005. The TV and radio presenter tragically passed away earlier this year, in August. He was 66 years old, and was battling with terminal prostrate cancer.
Following his death, his Strictly dance partner Karen broke down in tears on BBC Breakfast as she said: "One of my last texts with him, he goes: 'Amazing how after 16 years people still ask me about Strictly. Some of the best fun I ever had. I'm always grateful to you for that."
Bruce Forsyth
One of the show's first ever hosts Bruce Forsyth - otherwise known as Mr Strictly - co-presented Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013. In the three years prior to him stepping down from his hosting duties alongside Tess Daly, he was replaced by Claudia Winkleman.
In 2017, he sadly passed away, aged 89. In a tribute to her friend and ex co-host, Tess Daly at the time said: "From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing and I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain."
Bruce Forsyth came to national attention from the late 1950s through the ITV series Sunday Night at the London Palladium. He went on to host several game shows, including The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right and You Bet!. He
Paul Daniels
Magician Paul Daniels took part in Strictly during it's eighth series in 2010 and was partnered up with professional Orla Jordan. However, the pair didn't last very long on the show as they were eliminated by week two.
Six years later, Paul sadly died, aged 77, in 2016. His assistant and wife, Debbie McGree, went on Strictly the following year after his death, and made her way to the final.
Willie Thorne
Willie Thorne competed in series five of Strictly Come Dancing with professional dance partner Erin Boag, before being voted out on October 20, 2007 in 12th place (out of 14). He sadly passed away, aged 66-years-old, in June 2020. Following his death, Erin issued a statement which read: "I have truly wonderful memories of the time I spent with him. I feel honoured to have danced with this great man."
Gary Rhodes
In 2008, restauranteur and chef Gary appeared on Strictly and was partnered with Karen Hardy. His time on the show was rife with controversy, according to The Daily Mail, as Gary and Karen reportedly clashed over giving enough time for training.
She said of Gary: "I have a lot of patience, but he drove me to the edge. You're up against the clock to get a dance ready for the following Saturday. The audience want a spectacular performance, and it was hard for Gary to deliver that in such a short time, with all his other commitments - he has a family and a string of restaurants to run."
The pair didn't last very long in the competition and were voted out after week three. On one occasion, judge Craig took aim at Gary's "stompy flat-footedness", which left the TV chef feeling annoyed. Gary told The Sunday People following the comments: "It's like jumping from the frying pan into the fire being in Strictly."
Gary died while away in Dubai at the age of 59 in 2019, following a head injury and subsequent subdural haematoma. Karen paid a moving tribute to him via social media soon afterwards, writing: "I am truly speechless and lost for words but my heart and thoughts go out to his beautiful family at this time."
Lynda Bellingham
Actress and TV presenter Lynda, who was best known for her roles in All Creatures Great and Small and Loose Women, died in 2014 after suffering from colorectal cancer. A few years before she died, in 2009, she appeared on Strictly and was partnered with Darren Bennett. The series was eventually won by sports presenter Chris Hollins and his professional partner Ola Jordan.
Lynda and Darren's time in the competition was short, though, and the pair left in week four. A book written in tribute to Lynda by her husband Michael Pattemore revealed that his wife and her dance partner didn't get along.
He wrote: "There were two things about Strictly she didn't like. One was her body image. She always thought she looked fat. I kept saying she didn't. And the other thing, she said her partner Darren Bennett was such a miserable git. There was no laughter, no fun. All the way through rehearsals she didn't mind training hard, but it was solid dance. He was just hard work. If Lynda had had a partner like Anton du Beke or someone, now they would have had some fun together."
Jason Wood
Comedian Jason Wood was matched up with pro dancer Kylie Jones back in 2004 for the show's very first series. Unfortunately, he was the first celeb to be eliminated. He then went on to become a contestant on the second series of The Underdog Show. Sadly, he passed away in 2010, aged 38. Initial reports suggest that he died in his sleep.
READ NEXT:
- Harry and Meghan's second Netflix trailer drops with docu-series date confirmed
- How much it costs to hire or stay at Channel 4's Escape to the Chateau venue
- Archewell boss resigns days before Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary airs
- Loose Women's Carol McGiffin slams Meghan and Harry's bombshell Netflix trailer
- Sadness as ITV's Susanna Reid supports GMB co-star as he fights back tears
