Here we pay tribute to stars of TV, film, music, sport, and politics who have left us this year.
Looking back, 2022 was quite the year. The death of the UK's longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, brought the UK to a standstill and made headlines around the world. The Queen died at her Scottish estate, Balmoral, aged 96 in September after reigning for 70 years. The breaking news seemed to pause the everyday, and it then dominated headlines for days until her funeral once again paused the nation.
There has already been a number of notable deaths in 2023. The year started with the news that former Top Gear star Ken Block had died in a New Year snowmobile accident,
January
Ken Block
Former Top Gear star Ken Block has died at the age of 55 after a snowmobile accident.
Block's devastated team, Honnigan Racing Division, shared the news of his death saying "he will be incredibly missed"
The racer rose to fame in 2005 when he made his racing debut, and reached a new set of fans after he made two appearances on Top Gear to perform a number of daring stunts.
In 1994, long before his rally racing debut, Ken Block co-founded the legendary fashion brand DC Shoes with his business partner Damon Way.
Fay Weldon
The author, known for works including The Life And Loves Of A She-Devil and Praxis, died aged 91. The novelist, playwright and screenwriter's body of work includes more than 30 novels - as well as short stories and plays written for television, radio and the stage.
Born in September 1931, she was brought up in New Zealand and returned to the UK as a child.
She went on to read economics and psychology at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and later received an honorary doctorate from the institution in 1990. Weldon worked briefly for the Foreign Office in London and as a journalist before moving to work as an advertising copywriter.
She left this career to focus on her writing and published her first novel, The Fat Woman's Joke, in 1967. Alongside her prolific novel career, she also wrote children's books, non-fiction books and newspaper articles.
Gianluca Vialli
The former Chelsea player and manager died aged 58. Just the month before, Vialli stepped down from his role as Italy’s head of delegation in order to fight cancer.
The 58-year-old revealed last year that he was battling pancreatic cancer for a second time. After consulting with doctors, Vialli “suspended professional commitments” as he fought the disease.
He represented Italy in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and gained popularity in England during a short spell at Stamford Bridge.
Vialli would serve as Chelsea's player-manager and then manager, leading them to the European Cup Winners' Cup and the League Cup in 1998, plus the FA Cup in 2000.
Jeff Beck
Rock veteran Jeff Beck died this month aged 78. The Grammy-winning guitarist rose to prominence with rock band The Yardbirds and went on to have a successful solo career and fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Trailblazing guitarist Beck was born Geoffrey Arnold Beck in Wallington, England to parents Arnold and Ethel Beck and developed a passion for music as a child. Beck made headlines last year when he announced a collaborative album with Johnny Depp shortly after the Hollywood actor’s defamation battle with ex-wife Amber Heard drew to a close. Read tributes here.
Lisa Marie Presley
The only daughter of rock and roll legend Elvis died of a heart attack aged 54.
In a heartfelt statement, her devastated mother Priscilla said: "It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us.
“She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”
Her death came just two days after she attended the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, where she was visibly moved upon learning that Austin Butler had won best actor in a drama film for playing her father in the biopic Elvis. She had given interviews on the red carpet, where she told Entertainment Tonight the star's performance had been "mind-blowing".
Gina Lollobrigida
The Italian actress died at the age of 95.
She was one of the highest-profile European actresses of the 1950s and early 1960s, playing opposite Hollywood stars including Humphrey Bogart, Rock Hudson, Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Frank Sinatra.
Starting out from humble beginnings, she became one of the most recognisable faces of Italian post-war cinema.
An international sex symbol - rivalled only by fellow Italian actress Sophia Loren - Lollobrigida was one of the last of the last remaining stars of Hollywood's Golden Age.
February
Hilary Alexander
Fashion journalist Hilary Alexander died on her 77th birthday.
The Daily Telegraph’s former fashion editor was described as “one of the brightest and kindest people in the business” and “always on top of her game”.
Born in New Zealand, Alexander moved to the UK in 1982, writing for the Telegraph’s woman’s page. She would stay at the publication for 26 years, becoming fashion editor in 1985 and fashion director in 2003.
Burt Bacharach
The composer of classic pop songs including I Say A Little Prayer and Walk On By, died at the age of 94.
He was a composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist. He composed hundreds of pop songs, beginning in the 1950s, and collaborated on many of them with lyricist Hal David, who died in 2012 aged 91.
He won six Grammys and three Oscars during his career and his songs were said to have been recorded by more than 1,000 artists. Songs that he co-wrote included This Guy's in Love with You, Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head and (They Long to Be) Close to You.
Raquel Welch
The US actress was often credited with paving the way for modern day action heroines in Hollywood films. She was 82 when she died after a short illness. Raquel became an international sex symbol in the 1960s and was widely remembered for playing a bikini-clad cavewoman in the 1966 film One Million Years BC. She also won a Golden Globe for her role in 1974's The Three Musketeers. Born Jo-Raquel Tejada in 1940, the actress grew up in California, where she won teen beauty pageants and later became a local weather forecaster.
Dickie Davies
The former World of Sport presenter died at the age of 94. Davies was best known for anchoring the ITV sports show from 1968 until it came to an end in 1985.
He also covered the Seoul Olympics for ITV in 1988 before leaving to join Eurosport. The news of Davies’ death was announced on behalf of his family by his former colleague Jim Rosenthal, who wrote on Twitter: “With huge sadness we announce Dickie Davies passed away this morning. So proud of his 20 years of World of Sport, 3 Olympic Games and a brilliant career on the telly. He is survived by a loving wife, two adoring sons, four grandkids and two beloved dogs."
John Motson
The football commentator John Motson died at the age of 77. Born in Salford, Lancashire, he enjoyed a distinguished career with the BBC, covering 29 FA Cup finals and 10 World Cups. After starting as a newspaper reporter in Barnet and at the Sheffield Morning Telegraph, Motson joined the BBC in 1968 as a sports presenter on Radio 2. His long career also took in two Olympic Games and Wimbledon's memorable 1988 FA Cup final triumph against Liverpool at Wembley as the Crazy Gang beat the Culture Club.
Sir Bernard Ingham
Margaret Thatcher's press chief in Downing Street died aged 90. Known for his straight-talking approach, Sir Bernard served in No 10 throughout Mrs Thatcher's premiership from 1979 to 1990.
His son John said: "My family will miss him greatly. To the wider world he is known as Margaret Thatcher's chief press secretary, a formidable operator in the political and Whitehall jungles. But to me he was my dad - and a great dad at that. He was a fellow football fan and an adoring grandfather and great-grandfather." Born in Halifax on June 21, 1932, Sir Bernard left school at 16 and made his name as a campaigning journalist for the Hebden Bridge Times and later the Yorkshire Post.
Baroness Betty Boothroyd
The first woman to be Speaker of the House of Commons, has died, according to current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who said she was “one of a kind”.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “Not only was Betty Boothroyd an inspiring woman, but she was also an inspirational politician, and someone I was proud to call my friend. To be the first woman Speaker was truly ground-breaking and Betty certainly broke that glass ceiling with panache."
Born into a working-class family in Dewsbury in 1929, Baroness Boothroyd was introduced to politics at an early age through her mother's membership of the women's section of the Labour Party.
Before becoming speaker she served as Labour MP for West Bromwich West from 1974 to 2000.
March
Tom Sizemore
The American actor, known for roles in Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down, has died aged 61.
Sizemore found fame in the 1990s, often playing supporting roles as tough guys - usually military, police or criminal. His other credits included Natural Born Killers, Pearl Harbor and Heat.
But he also had drug problems and served jail time for domestic violence.
Sizemore had been in a coma since suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm on 18 February.
Paul O'Grady
There was an outpouring of grief after the "unexpected" death of the television star and comedian aged 67,
The presenter, who was born in Merseyside, hosted a number of game shows including Blankety Blank in the late '90s under the guise of Savage.
His career spanned more than 30 years, during which he hosted The Paul O'Grady Show, Blind Date and For The Love Of Dogs. He also featured on TV shows such as Dr Who and Holby City.
Queen Camilla paid an emotional tribute saying she was "deeply saddened" by his death and would cherish "waggy-tailed memories".
Peter Thomas
The Cardiff Rugby president and former chairman died aged 79.
The businessman was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and died peacefully at home with his family by his side.
Thomas' association with Cardiff spanned more than six decades. He played for Cardiff RFC in the 1960s and returned to help run the club before its 2003 transition to one of Wales' four regions. He first invested in the club in 1994 and was chairman for 22 years before stepping down in 2018, when he wrote off debts of more than £11m but remained a board member and benefactor.
A former hooker, he played 11 times for the club before becoming one of the powerbrokers in the game in Wales during his spell as chairman. Read the full tribute here.
April
Nigel Lawson
The tax-slashing chancellor under Margaret Thatcher and one of the titans of British politics in the 1980s, died at the age of 91.
Survived by six children, including Nigella Lawson, a food writer and celebrity cook, he is credited with creating powerful entrepreneurial forces in a decade.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called him an "inspiration to me and many others".
Nicola Heywood Thomas
The former ITV news reader and BBC Radio Wales presenter Nicola Heywood Thomas died aged 67 after an illness.
Nicola anchored the Wales at Six news for more than 15 years on ITV and in more recent years she has presented a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales about the arts and was passionate about the topic. Read tributes here.
Paul Cattermole
The singer who found huge success with pop group S Club 7, died aged 46.
The Hertfordshire-born singer was set to be part of a recently-announced reunion for the group, who had four UK No 1 singles including Don’t Stop Movin’ and Bring It All Back.
He was picked for the band by music mogul Simon Fuller.
Mary Quant
The fashion and make-up designer, credited with some of the most iconic fashion looks of the 1960s including the mini skirt, died aged 93.
Born to Welsh schoolteachers in in south-east London, Ms Quant gained a diploma in art education at Goldsmith's College where she met her future husband, Alexander Plunket Greene, to whom she was married from 1957 until his death in 1990.
Twiggy, who became a style icon during the era, said Dame Mary had "such an influence on young girls in the late '50s early '60s".
Mark Sheehan
The lead guitarist and co-founder of the Irish rock band the Script, died following a "brief illness" aged 46.
He founded the band with Danny O'Donoghue in 2001. The group, which also included drummer Glen Power, is best known for songs Hall of Fame and Breakeven.
He is survived by his wife, Rina, and three children.
Barry Humphries
The comedian who played Dame Edna Everage died at the age of 89. The celebrated Australian had been readmitted to hospital in Sydney after suffering complications following hip surgery. The entertainer played the garish, lilac-haired drag persona on stage and TV for more than 60 years, known for her extravagant spectacles, rapier wit, doubles entendre, fondness for gladioli flowers, and the famous greeting: "Hello possums!".
Len Goodman
The former Strictly Come Dancing judge died aged 78 after a battle with bone cancer. He was head judge from the BBC's launch in 2004 until 2016 and was hugely popular with fans for his knowledge and wry humour. As well as Strictly he also appeared on the US version of the show, Dancing With the Stars, from 2005 until 2022.
Peter Martin
The actor, who starred in The Royle Family and Brassed Off, died aged 82.
Mr Martin, born in Gainsborough, was also known for his roles in Emmerdale and the original BBC series of All Creatures Great and Small.
Ricky Tomlinson, who appeared with Mr Martin in The Royle Family, paid tribute to the actor. He said Mr Martin was an "absolute joy to work with and a brilliant actor", adding he would be "sadly missed".
Jerry Springer
The television icon died, aged 79.
The controversial presenter hosted The Jerry Springer Show for nearly three decades from 1991.
It was known for its profanity-prone guests who often had to be restrained by on-set security guards as audience members wildly cheered.
May
Jock Zonfrillo
The Scottish-born host of MasterChef Australia died in May aged 46.
According to the show's production company and network, the TV personality died in Melbourne on May 1, the day the season 15 series premiere was set to air.
Jamie Oliver, who worked with the chef on the show, said: "Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful. Jock will be so very missed…I can’t believe I’m writing this…….Sending heart felt love and condolences to all of his family, friends and his second family the master chef team and contestants..”
Andy Rourke
The Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr paid a touching tribute to his former bandmate Andy Rourke when it was announced the "supremely gifted" musician died aged 59.
Marr said the bassist had passed away 'after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer' and said: "Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans."
Along with drummer Mike Joyce, Rourke provided a pounding and melodic rhythm section underlying Marr's pioneering chords as the Smiths became one of Britain's most influential bands during the 1980s.
Tina Turner
One of rock's most famous voices - with hits including Proud Mary and The Best - died at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland this month after a long illness.
In a career spanning more than 60 years, the American-Swiss singer, who was born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, won eight competitive Grammy Awards and has a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St Louis Walk of Fame.
Tributes came from across the entertainment industry, from friends, colleagues and collaborators including members of The Rolling Stones, Sir Tom Jones and Sir Elton John.
June
Silvio Berlusconi
Italy held a state funeral for the ex-Prime Minister, attended by political leaders, his family and a string of ex-girlfriends.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Milan's main square to say a final farewell to the one-time cruise singer who led Italy with no prior political experience and built a media empire.
As Berlusconi's coffin entered the cathedral, they chanted: "Silvio will always be our president." There were flags, tears and applause.
John Hollins
The former swansea-city-fc>Swansea City manager died at the age of 76.
A huge fan favourite with the Jack Army during a successful three-year spell between 1998-2001, he saw the club promoted as champions from the old Division Three in 2000. He also oversaw a famous FA Cup win over West Ham United in 1999, a result that made the Swans the first side from the bottom tier to knock out Premier League opposition in the history of the competition.
He left his post after the club failed to stay in Division Two, before later guiding Rochdale to the Division Three play-offs in 2002. Read tributes here.
Glenda Jackson
Sir Michael Caine described the actress and former MP as "one of our greatest movie actresses" following her death aged 87. She won two Oscars, three Emmys, two Baftas and a Tony in an acting career which spanned six decades. Welsh actor Sir Jonathan Pryce said he believed she was "the greatest actor that this country has ever produced".
Jackson gave up acting to join the House of Commons as a Labour MP in north London from 1992 to 2015. That included two years as a junior transport minister in Tony Blair's New Labour government from 1997.
She later returned to acting, playing King Lear on stage in 2016, then winning a Bafta for her screen comeback in the TV drama Elizabeth Is Missing in 2020.
