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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lizzie Edmonds

Celebrity deaths 2023: Famous faces we've said goodbye to this year

From Shane MacGowan to Matthew Perry and Sinead O'Conner - the world has lost a number of famous and notable figures over the course of 2023.

Singer Lisa Marie Presley, who was Elvis Presley’s only child, died aged 54 in January. 

She had been famous since the moment she was born, with the Duchess of York among those paying tribute to the star - calling her a “devoted friend” who would always be “in my heart”.

Spanish fashion designer Paco Rabanne - one of the most prominent and disruptive designers of the sixties - passed away at home in France aged 88 the following month. He had dressed the likes of Jane Fonda, Lady Gaga and Gigi Hadid over his illustrious career. Mary Quant, one of his contemporaries, also passed later in 2023.

Burt Bacharach, the composer of legendary pop songs including I Say A Little Prayer and Walk On By, died at the age of 94.

Considered one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century, he wrote hits for artists including Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Sir Tom Jones and The Carpenters.

In March, Jacqueline Gold - the Ann Summers founder - died aged 62 following seven years of treatment for breast cancer.

Paul O'Grady (.)

Then, hugely popular broadcaster Paul O’Grady, who rose to fame as Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at the age of 67.

The Queen was left “deeply saddened” by the death of her friend while Sir Elton John and It’s A Sin creator Russell T Davies said O’Grady had been “ferocious in the fight against Aids” as they led tributes to him.

Thousands paid tribute to the star at his funeral in Kent in April. 

One of the biggest shocks of the year was when Paul Cattermole passed away unexpectedly on April 6. The S Club 7 star was found dead at his home in Dorset at the age of 46. He was due to reunite with his bandmates for a nationwide tour just weeks later. 

Len Goodman, the former Strictly Come Dancing head judge died on April 22 at the age of 78.

The head judge on the flagship BBC show from 2004 until 2016, the Queen, an avid fan of Strictly, was among those who said they were “saddened” by the death of the ballroom dancer.

Legendary pop star Tina Turner died aged 83 after a long illness in May.

Sir Michael Parkinson (ITV)

Sir Mick Jagger called her “inspiring, warm, funny and generous” as he led tributes to the star, while Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood called her the “queen of rock and soul”.

Actress-turned-Labour MP Glenda Jackson died peacefully on June 15 at the age of 87 following a brief illness in the summer.

Young actor Angus Cloud - known for playing Fezco in the HBO drama series Euphoria - passed away at home in July. It was later confirmed that he’d had an accidental drug overdose. 

BBC newsreader George Alagiah died aged 67 following a long battle with cancer in the summer. 

The Sri Lankan-born journalist reported from war zones as a foreign correspondent before becoming a familiar face to millions as an anchor on BBC One’s News At Six.

Legendary Irish singer Sinead O’Connor was found unresponsive at her south London home and pronounced dead at the age of 56 on July 26. 

She was propelled to international stardom in 1990 with her version of ballad Nothing Compares 2 U, which topped the charts around the world.

Throughout her career, which spanned 10 solo albums, she spoke openly of her struggles with her mental health and was said to have helped change Ireland because of her criticism of the Catholic Church.

Angus Cloud (Alamy/PA)

Sir Michael Parkinson died aged 88 following a brief illness on August 16.

David Bowie, John Lennon, David Beckham and Muhammad Ali are just a few of the famous people he interviewed during a long and illustrious career.

Close friends and contemporaries including Sir David Attenborough, Dickie Bird and Sir Michael Caine hailed him as being “beyond region or class” and “irreplaceable”.

Sir Michael Gambon - arguably best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films - died peacefully in hospital aged 82.

The Dublin-born star of stage and screen, who won four TV Baftas, was also known for his extensive back catalogue of work across TV, film, radio and theatre over five decades.

Tina Turner in 1980 (Redferns)

JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe led tributes to the star, who was hailed as a “wonderful man” and an “outstanding actor”.

Sir Bobby Charlton, the England and Manchester United footballer died at the age of 86 after a fall at his care home.

Hailed as one of the country’s greatest ever players, he was a key figure in the Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup victory.

The Prince of Wales joined football royalty and around 1,000 fans for the Manchester funeral of the Red Devils star, who made 758 appearances for the club.

Another huge shock in 2023 was the death of Matthew Perry - the Friends star. He was found dead at home aged 54 on October 28. Perry, who played Chandler Bing in the sitcom, was open about his long battle with alcohol and drugs throughout his life. His cause of death has been deemed “inconclusive.” 

November saw the death of singer Shane MacGowan - the Pogues frontman - who died aged 65 after being discharged from a Dublin hospital where he had been receiving care for an infection.

From the 1980s, he led the Irish punk band who are best known for their hit festive song Fairytale Of New York, which was released in 1987.

Professor Benjamin Zephaniah died in December, just weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The poet and author was 65.

His friend Sir Lenny Henry led tributes to him, saying his “passion for education for all was tireless”.

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