The famous people who have sadly died in 2024

Here we pay tribute to stars of TV, film, music, sport, and politics who have left us during 2024. The year started with the news that Kate Garraway's husband Derek Draper had died after a near four-year battle with Covid and Welsh rugby lost a legend when it was announced that JPR Williams has died after short illness.

A wave of tributes throughout the sport and country were paid to to one of the greatest players to grace a field following Williams' death.

The beautiful Glynis Johns, who played Winifred Banks in the original Disney film Mary Poppins, also died at the start of the year aged 100. Stay up to date with the latest celebrity news by signing up to our newsletter here.

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January

Glynis Johns

The Oscar-nominated actress who was brought up in the UK, was living in West Hollywood, California, at the time of her death.

She won multiple awards for her work on stage and screen including a Tony award. Born in South Africa, she was the daughter of Welsh actor Mervyn Johns and Australian concert pianist Alyce Steele-Wareham, and spent her lifetime acting. Her most famous films included playing Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins, The Sundowners and Under Milk Wood.

Derek Draper

Kate Garraway's "darling" husband died aged 56 after battling with health woes after contracting Covid in 2020.

The Good Morning Britain presenter said: "Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life."

The former lobbyist fell into a coma at the start of the global pandemic and was put on a ventilator - becoming Britain's longest suffering Covid-19 victim as he spent 13 months in hospital. The dad-of-two returned home from hospital in April 2021 but still required care and assistance, as he struggled to return to full health following first contracting the viral disease.

In December 2023, Kate pulled out of all her work commitments in order to be Derek's side after he suffered a heart attack. He is survived by Kate, whom he married in 2005, and their two children, Darcey and Billy.

David Soul

Actor David Soul, best known for his role in the television series Starsky & Hutch, died at the age of 80.

In a statement following his death, his wife Helen Snell said: "David Soul - beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother - died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.

"He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."

JPR Williams

The Welsh rugby legend died aged 74 after a short illness. Part of the golden era of Welsh rugby in the 1970s, Williams was capped 55 times for his country and represented the British & Irish Lions on eight occasions over two tours.

He captained Wales and played a significant part in a succession of Grand Slams and Triple Crowns in the heyday of Welsh rugby. The full-back was instantly recognisable with a distinct running style, socks around his ankles, and long sideburns to boot. Read more about the courageous rugby hero here.

Annie Nightingale

The trailblazing DJ died at the age of 83. Having become BBC Radio One's first female presenter she went on to become its longest-serving host.

Annie joined the station in 1970 and remained the only woman on the line-up for 12 years. She was known for her passion for a wide range of music, championing everything from prog rock and punk to acid house and grime.

She remained on air until late 2023 with Annie Nightingale Presents. Annie was also known for co-hosting BBC Two music show The Old Grey Whistle Test.

February

Jonnie Irwin

A Place in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin died at the age of 50. His wife, Jessica Holmes, described her partner, with whom she shares three-young sons, as a 'truly remarkable husband'.

Jonnie had revealed two months before his death that his cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020. The property show host had no idea anything was wrong and the cancer only came to light when he was driving. He suddenly started to suffer from blurred vision when he was driving in Italy with work.

When he got back home he was initially told he had six months to live after being diagnosed with lung cancer - which had spread to his brain.

Barry John

The legendary former Cardiff, Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half died in hospital aged 79 surrounded by his family.

After making his debut in 1966, John played in 25 internationals for Wales and five Tests for the Lions. Wales won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam and two Triple Crowns during his stint on the international stage.

John cemented his Lions legacy against the All Blacks in 1971 by playing a starring role in the historic 2-1 win over the hosts, who dubbed him 'The King'. He retired the following year aged just 27.

John was central to Wales' 1971 Grand Slam - their first since 1952 - sealed by a 9-5 win against France in Paris, their first there for 14 years. He made his debut as Wales lost to Australia in Cardiff in December 1966, and had to wait almost a year before partnering scrum-half Sir Gareth Edwards for the first time in a 13-6 home defeat by New Zealand. Watch Jiffy's live TV tribute here.

John and his former Cardiff and Lions team-mate Edwards are regarded as one of the greatest half-back partnerships in rugby history.

Ian Lavender

The Dad's Army actor, who played Private Pike in the hit TV series, died at the age of 77.

Birmingham-born Lavender was just 22 when he was cast as the guileless platoon member, in what was then a new BBC sitcom.

But it made him a household name, and he ended up spending 10 years as part of the comedy classic. Lavender was the last surviving main cast member of the series.

Steve Wright

The DJ, who presented programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades, died this month at the age of 69.

Wright joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host the afternoon shows on Radio 1 and Radio 2. He also fronted television programmes for the BBC, including Top of the Pops.

Wright was last on air the day before his death, hosting a pre-recorded special Valentine's Day edition of his Love Songs programme.

Paying tribute to Wright on Radio 2 after his death was announced, an emotional Sara Cox said: "It's really hard to know what to say about the news of Steve Wright's passing, except we are all shocked and devastated and blindsided by this news.

Robin Windsor

The former Strictly Come Dancing star died at the age of 44.

The professional dancer, who appeared on the show between 2010 and 2015, was paired with celebrities including model Patsy Kensit, actresses Anita Dobson and Lisa Riley and Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden. He also danced with Great British Bake Off host Alison Hammond in the 2015 Christmas special and with Susanna Reid in 2011's Children In Need special.

Before his death, the star most recently appeared in stage show Come What May, a tribute to Moulin Rouge.

Ewen MacIntosh

Ricky Gervais was one of the first to pay tribute to "absolute original" following news of his death aged 50. Actor and comedian Ewen was best known for playing Keith Bishop in Ricky's sitcom The Office, which became an instant comedy classic when it launched in 2001.

Through the course of his career, Ewen also appeared on various shows such as Miranda and Little Britain. He formed a double act with Tim FitzHigham and they performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007. In 2009, be appeared alongside several other celebrities in a charity music video for the Chris Rea song Driving Home for Christmas.

Stuart Organ

The Grange Hill actor died aged 72. The British actor was best known for playing the firm but fair Peter Robson, the longest-serving member of staff in the school, on the children’s television drama.

As Robson, he was a PE and geography teacher before being promoted to headteacher in the series about life in a London comprehensive school. The show ran from 1978 to 2008 and made headlines for its gritty social realism, tackling issues such as racism, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, mental illness and HIV and Aids.

John Savident

The Coronation Street actor who was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap, died aged 86.

In 1994, Savident arrived on the cobbles and quickly became a fan favourite. His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together. Savident's character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake).

Outside Coronation Street, Savident was in political comedy Yes, Minister, Stanley Kubrick's dystopian thriller A Clockwork Orange, biopic Gandhi, war film Battle Of Britain, science fiction series Doctor Who and period dramas The Remains Of The Day and Middlemarch.

Dave Myers

The Hairy Bikers star died at the age of 66, less than two years after revealing his cancer diagnosis.

His death was announced by co-star and fellow motorcycle-riding chef, Si King, who said he was with Myers when he died "peacefully at home".

Myers shared that he had cancer on the Hairy Bikers - Agony Uncles podcast in May 2022, but did not specify what type he was suffering from. In interviews in 2023, he said there were times during his chemotherapy treatment when he had been too ill to walk and unable to ride his motorcycle due to being unsteady.

The TV chef had returned to filming towards the end of the year.

March

Steve Harley

Best known for being the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel, he died at the age of 73. The English singer and songwriter, best known for the 1970s hit Make Me Smile, was receiving treatment for cancer.

Sir Rod Stewart said he was "absolutely devastated" as he paid tribute to the musician whom he had "loved" and "admired". Harley helped to write a number of songs for Sir Rod who covered Harley's song A Friend For Life on his 2015 studio album Another Country. Along with Make Me Smile, which went to number one in the UK charts in 1975, Cockney Rebel's hits include Here Comes The Sun, Mr Raffles (Man, It Was Mean), Love's A Prima Donna and Judy Teen.

Samantha Davis

The wife of Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis, died aged 53.

Samantha co-founded the dwarfism charity Little People UK and featured in the final Harry Potter film, alongside Warwick. “Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs,” Warwick said in the statement to the BBC.

The couple met on the set of George Lucas’s film Willow and married three years later in 1991. Samantha also played a goblin in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 while her husband played both Professor Flitwick and the goblin Griphook in all eight films in the franchise.

April

Brian McCardie

The Line Of Duty and Rob Roy star died suddenly aged 59.. The Scottish actor, who grew up Carluke, near Glasgow, played criminal boss turned police informant Tommy Hunter in the hit BBC crime show.

His sister Sarah McCardie announced on Tuesday that he died "suddenly at home" on Sunday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Ms McCardie wrote that he was a "wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon".

Duane Eddy

The American guitarist - hailed by many as one of the founding fathers of rock and roll - died aged 86.

The Grammy-winning artist had a run of instrumental hits in the 1950s and 60s. He reached the charts again in 1986 with a remake of his song Peter Gunn.

He was called the King of Twang for his distinctive style. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

May

Terry Medwin

The Welsh footballer, who was one of the last remaining members of the 1958 Wales World Cup squad, died at the age of 91.

Until Gareth Bale's penalty against the USA in Qatar, Medwin was the last Welsh player to score at a World Cup, and was a pivotal member of the side that reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in 1958.

In total, Medwin won 30 caps for his country, netting six goals. The winger started his career at Swansea Town back in 1949, and made 148 league appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals.

He would later go on to join Tottenham Hotspur in 1956, where he became a club legend, scoring 65 goals in 195 league games before hanging up his boots in 1963.

Bernard Hill

Best known for his roles in Titanic and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, he died aged 79. Hill also starred in drama series Boys From The Blackstuff, and the 2015 BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novel Wolf Hall.

His agent Lou Coulson told the PA news agency that he died in the early hours of Sunday. The actor played Captain Edward Smith in the Oscar-winning 1997 epic romance Titanic, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

He also portrayed Theoden, King of Rohan, in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy directed by Sir Peter Jackson. Hill joined the Lord Of The Rings cast for the second film in the trilogy, 2002’s The Two Towers, which won two Academy Awards for best sound editing and best visual effects.

Morgan Spurlock

The filmmaker-star of documentaries like 2004's Super Size Me, died from complications of cancer aged 53.

Super Size Me saw Spurlock live on a diet of McDonald’s food for an entire month to test the health impact on his body.

It sparked a huge debate and earned him an Oscar nomination for best documentary.

He directed more than 20 films and documentaries in total, including 2008's Where in the World is Osama bin Laden, and the 2013 One Direction tour movie This Is Us.

June

Rob Burrow

The rugby league legend and motor neurone disease sufferer died in hospital aged 41.

He passed away 'peacefully', five years after being diagnosed with the neurological condition.

Crowds lined the route of his funeral procession with many wearing rugby shirts bearing Burrow's name and number seven on the back.

Michael Mosley

The television presenter was found dead after going missing during a holiday on the Greek island of Symi.

The 67-year-old went missing after going for a walk on the island on Wednesday, sparking an intensive five-day search.

Mosley, a columnist for the Daily Mail, made a number of documentaries about diet and exercise, including the Channel 4 show Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat? He was also part of the BBC series Trust Me, I’m a Doctor.

He was also credited for the rising popularity of the 5:2 diet, which involves fasting for two days a week to lose weight. He was named medical journalist of the year by the British Medical Association in 1995.

Donald Sutherland

The Canadian actor, star of films including The Hunger Games and Don't Look Now, died at 88 after a long illness.

His son, the actor Kiefer Sutherland, said: "With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. 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."

Sutherland had almost 200 credits to his name in a career spanning more than half a century.

July

Shannen Doherty

The Beverly Hills 90210 actress died at the start of the month aged just 53, after years of living with cancer.

Her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane said: "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie." She had first been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

Shelley Duvall

The Shining actress died at the age 75 at her home in Texas, after reported complications of diabetes.

Duvall's other credits included 1977 drama 3 Women, directed by Robert Altman, for which she won the Cannes Film Festival's best actress award and was nominated for a Bafta.

Three years later, she starred as Olive Oyl opposite Robin Williams in Altman's musical version of Popeye.

But Duvall fell out of favour in Hollywood and was off screens for two decades, before making her comeback in 2023's The Forest Hills.

August

Alun Carter

The former Wales international, who became one of the leading performance analysts in world rugby, died at the age of 59 while out on a walk.

Born in Malpas, Newport in 1964 the former flanker enjoyed a 15-year senior career which yielded two Wales caps and more than 300 first class games for Pontypool, SO Millau, Newport and South Glamorgan Institute / UWIC. He made his Wales debut against England in 1991 while he also represented Wales A, a World XV in 1999, the Barbarians, British Police and Combined Services, Welsh Students and Police, Monmouthshire, Crawshays and Welsh Academicals. Read tributes here.

Carl Bevan

Tributes poured in following the death of celebrated Welsh artist and musician Carl Bevan.

Carl, who was 51, first rose to fame as the drummer of the Newport 1990s punk rock band 60ft Dolls, who were part of what became known as the Cool Cymru movement.

More recently, Carl, who grew up in Newport, has been celebrated for his landscape paintings of his favourite places in Wales. Carl's partner, Bev, and his dad, Ray, announced his sudden passing on social media.

Gena Rowlands

Best known for her role in The Notebook, died at the age of 94.

It had been revealed that the actress had been living with Alzheimer's for the past five years. . It was her son Nick Cassavetes, who directed his mother in the 2004 hit movie adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' book which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

Alain Delon

The internationally acclaimed French actor who embodied both the bad guy and the policeman and made hearts throb around the world, died aged 88.

With his handsome looks and tender manner, the prolific actor was able to combine toughness with an appealing, vulnerable quality that made him one of France's most memorable leading men. Earlier this year, his son Anthony had said Delon had been been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer.

Sol Bamba

The football world was in mourning after it was announced that the Cardiff City legend had died at the age of 39. The former Bluebirds defender, who took charge of Turkish 1.Lig side Adanaspor in the summer, was taken ill before his team’s match against Manisa BBSK and later died in hospital.

Bamba spent five years with Cardiff as a player before returning as assistant to ex-boss Sabri Lamouchi in 2023. Having studied his coaching badges in Wales, his move to Turkey was his first move into management. Read the tributes here.

September

James Earl Jones

The beloved actor, perhaps best known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, died at the age of 93. His death, at his home in New York, sparked an outpouring of tributes from both the public and Hollywood colleagues sharing their favourite memories of the award-winning entertainer.

The Hollywood star’s voice was also lent to the likes of Mufasa in Disney’s 1994 film The Lion King, various audiobooks and to CNN for its “This is CNN” tagline. During his career, he won a host of awards including Emmys, Tony Awards, a Grammy and was given an honorary Oscar.

Geoff Hinsliff

The Coronation Street star died aged 87. The actor was best known for playing Don Brennan on the soap from 1987 to 1997.

Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt in the show, paid tribute to Hinsliff on behalf of Coronation Street and ITV, saying: "Geoff was a lovely, quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all.

"His partnership with Lynne Perrie was something rather special and they gave the viewers huge pleasure for many years."

Chris Serle

The BBC radio and TV presenter passed away at the age of 81. Dame Esther Rantzen was among the first to pay tribute to the journalist who worked on programmes throughout the 80s and 90s.

Dame Esther starred alongside Chris in the satirical consumer affairs showThat's Life!. During his career, the star chaired Radio 4's Pick Of The Week and was the host of a long-running afternoon show on BBC Radio Bristol. He also presented In At The Deep End and Points Of View for the BBC.

Dame Maggie Smith

The Downton Abbey and Harry Potter actress died in hospital surrounded by her family, her two sons said in their tribute.

Known for her wit in comedic roles, she has had an extensive career on stage and screen over seven decades and was one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actresses.

She gained international fame for her role as Violet Crawley in the British period drama Downton Abbey between 2010 and 2015, and also portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series.

October

George Baldock

The England-born Greece international footballer was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens, at the age of 31. He had joined Greek side Panathinaikos in the summer after seven years at Sheffield United and was capped 12 times by Greece, who he qualified for through his grandmother.

Baldock started his career at MK Dons in 2009 and played more than 100 times for them. He had loan spells with several clubs including Northampton and Oxford United before joining Sheffield United in 2017. He made 219 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping them to promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and again in 2023.

Kevin Bowring

The former Wales rugby head coach Kevin Bowring died at the age of 70. He was the first full-time coach of the Wales national team, holding the role between 1995 and 1998. He was seen as one of the great thinkers of the game.

The Neath Grammar school product played as a flanker for London Welsh, captaining the famous club. He also played for the Barbarians, later teaching at Clifton College. Read more about his career here.

Alex Salmond

The Scottish politician's family has said he "left a fundamental footprint on Scottish politics" and that "life will never be the same" without him. Mr Salmond, who led the Scottish National Party (SNP) between 1990 and 2000 and then again between 2004 and 2014, died aged 69 from a suspected heart attack during a trip to North Macedonia. His family said he was "a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect, and admired throughout the world".

Liam Payne

The former One Direction star died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. He formed boy band One Direction in 2010, alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, after they individually auditioned for The X Factor.

After becoming one of the biggest pop groups in the world, with five albums and four world tours, they went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid, Familiar and Strip That Down featuring Quavo. He was in a high-profile relationship with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl between 2016 and 2018 and the couple had a son, Bear, in 2017.

Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 when he was 14, singing Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Simon Cowell telling him to return to the ITV talent show two years later. In 2010, he impressed the judges with a rendition of Michael Buble's Cry Me A River before being put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition - the group which later became One Direction.

Geoff Capes

The British shot put record holder and two-time world's strongest man, has died aged 75.

Capes set the record for the longest shot put by a British man with a distance of 21.68m in 1980.

He had an illustrious career, twice winning gold in the shot at both the Commonwealth Games and the European Indoor Championships. He was a three-time Olympian and came closest to winning a medal with a fifth-place finish at the 1980 Games in Moscow.

Capes, who was born in Lincolnshire, was also a six-time champion at the World Highland Games.

November

Janey Godley

The Scottish comedian died at the age of 63. She had been receiving palliative care after living for a number of years with ovarian cancer, which forced her to cancel her Why Is She Still Here? tour in September. Godley was perhaps best known for her viral dubbed videos of Nicola Sturgeon's Covid briefings during the pandemic and her protest against Donald Trump's 2016 visit to Scotland. Her daughter Ashley Storrie thanked Godley's "found family" for their support "throughout these last horrible days".

Quincy Jones

The celebrated US musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and many others died at the age of 91. He was best known as the producer of Michael Jackson's Thriller album. Over a career spanning more than 75 years he won 28 Grammy Awards and was named as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine. He worked closely with Sinatra and reworked the crooner's classic Fly Me To The Moon, taking it from a waltz to a swing.

Trevor Sorbie

The celebrity hairdresser, who appeared regularly on This Morning, died at the age of 75. The award-winning Scottish stylist revealed in October he had weeks to live after his bowel cancer spread to his liver. He styled the hair of numerous stars over the years including Dame Helen Mirren and the Beach Boys. He also set up a charity which gives advice to patients and NHS staff on wig styling, hair loss, and regrowth after treatment.

John Prescott

John Prescott was the pugnacious political bruiser who became an indispensable figure in Sir Tony Blair's New Labour project. For more than a decade the ex-merchant seaman, who was born in Prestayn, provided a crucial link with the party's working-class roots as Sir Tony's reforming drive led critics to accuse him of abandoning socialism altogether.

Notoriously short-tempered, as deputy prime minister he famously brawled with a protester who struck him with an egg while out campaigning during the 2001 general election. He had a stormy relationship with the press who dubbed him "two Jags" and who mocked his at times jumbled syntax in statements and interviews. He nevertheless emerged as a key mediator in the turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown, which dominated the politics of the time.

Barbara Taylor Bradford

The bestselling novelist who wrote A Woman Of Substance died at the age of 91. The former Yorkshire Evening Post editor wrote a total of 40 novels during her career with her most recent, The Wonder of It All, published in 2023. Taylor Bradford had started and ditched several novels while pursuing her journalistic career until she hit the big time with A Woman Of Substance published in 1979.

December

Terry Griffiths

The former world snooker champion died at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia. Griffiths, from Lanelli, came through the qualifying rounds to win the 1979 Crucible title as a qualifier and also won the Masters and the UK Championship to complete the sport's illustrious triple crown.

In later years Griffiths became an accomplished coach inspiring the likes of Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, and Mark Allen. Read tributes here.