We have sadly said goodbye to a number of famous faces this year, from iconic singers to beloved TV and film stars who are in our thoughts as 2022 comes to a close.
In January we sadly lost Bat Out Of Hell legend Meat Loaf at the age of 74, while February saw the tragic death of music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards aged just 31. In March, The Wanted star Tom Parker sadly died at 33 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, and in April we lost EastEnders icon June Brown.
We also lost beloved stars including Bernard Cribbins, Robbie Coltrane and Angela Lansbury later in the year. Here's a look back at the stars we said goodbye to in 2022.
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January
Sidney Poitier
Tributes poured in from the likes of US President Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey following the death of the 'trailblazing' star, who was the first black man to win the Oscar for best actor. Hollywood icon Sidney was known for his films including In The Heat Of The Night, Blackboard Jungle and Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, and died at the age of 94.
Bob Saget
The US comedian was sadly found dead in a hotel room in Florida at the age of 65, leading to fellow comedians including Jim Carrey and Steve Martin expressing their shock and sadness over his sudden passing. Bob was best known for starring in popular US sitcoms including Full House and How I Met Your Mother.
Meat Loaf
The iconic American singer died at the age of 74, following a six-decade career during which he sold more than 100 million albums and starred in more than 65 movies. Born Marvin Lee Aday, Meat Loaf was famous around the world for his smash hits including Bat Out Of Hell and I'd Do Anything For Love.
Thierry Mugler
The French fashion designer, whose dramatic designs became a hit in the celebrity world after he first launched his brand in the early 1970s, died aged 73. Beyoncé, Madonna and Kim Kardashian were among stars who were seen sporting Mugler's fashion, and he also expanded his horizons by launching a successful perfume line in the 1990s.
Barry Cryer
The veteran comedy writer and performer died aged 86 following a seven-decade career which saw him appear on stage, screen and radio. He penned jokes for legends of British comedy including Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Sir Billy Connolly and Tommy Cooper and had a long-running partnership with Sir David Frost, with their collaborations including BBC’s The Frost Report.
February
Ivan Reitman
The influential filmmaker and producer behind beloved comedies from Animal House to Ghostbusters died aged 75. He also directed the 1979 summer camp flick Meatballs and a number of films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger including Twins, Kindergarten Cop and Junior.
Jamal Edwards
Jamal was famous for setting up the music platform SBTV, which helped to launch the music careers of several stars including Stormzy, Dave, Rita Ora and Jessie J. The music entrepreneur tragically died at the age of just 31, prompting tributes from industry heavyweights including Ed Sheeran, Idris Elba and Hollywood actor Terry Crews, as well as his loving mother, Loose Women's Brenda Edwards.
William Hurt
The actor, who starred as General Thaddeus Ross in several instalments of the Marvel Comic Universe, died aged 71. He also won the best actor Oscar and Bafta for Kiss Of The Spider Woman in 1985 and was nominated for the Oscar for his roles in 1986’s Children Of A Lesser God and 1987’s Broadcast News.
March
Taylor Hawkins
Music stars around the world paid tribute to the Foo Fighters drummer after his death aged 50, with a special concert featuring a star-studded line-up, including Taylor's 16-year-old son Oliver on the drums, held at Wembley Stadium in his memory. Taylor had played in the rock band fronted by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl for more than two decades.
Tom Parker
The Wanted star died aged just 33, 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, surrounded by his family and bandmates. Tom left behind his wife Kelsey, their two young children, and a legacy of chart-topping hits with The Wanted including All Time Low and Glad You Came.
April
June Brown
The EastEnders legend, best known for her role as chain-smoking Dot Cotton who she played since 1985, died at the age of 95. The soap paid tribute to June in a special episode in December, and an EastEnders spokeswoman said: "There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great humour will never be forgotten."
Jack Higgins
The best-selling thriller writer died at the age of 92. Henry Patterson, known to the public under his pseudonym Jack Higgins, published 85 books during his lifetime, including The Eagle Has Landed which sold more than 50 million copies and was adapted into a movie in 1976.
May
Dennis Waterman
The actor, who starred in TV shows Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks, died at the age of 74. Waterman starred as bodyguard Terry McCann in Minder and he first found fame as tough nut cop George Carter in The Sweeney opposite John Thaw.
Ray Liotta
The actor, best known for his portrayal of Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas opposite Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, died at the age of 67. He found fame playing ex-con Ray Sinclair in 1986 black comedy Something Wild and also starred as Shoeless Joe Jackson in the 1989 film Field Of Dreams.
Hilary Devey
Former Dragons’ Den star Hilary died aged 65 after a long illness. Making her fortune with her freight network business Pall-Ex, she joined BBC Two programme Dragons’ Den in 2011 and left in 2012, going on to present Channel 4’s The Intern, and earlier featured in an episode of The Secret Millionaire.
Anne Heche
The Hollywood actress tragically died aged 53 nine days after suffering severe injuries in a car crash. Formerly the partner of US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, Anne was among the biggest film stars of the late 1990s, starring opposite actors including Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford.
June
Dame Deborah James
The You, Me And The Big C podcast presenter, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, died aged 40 after spending years campaigning to raise awareness of the disease and millions of pounds for cancer research through her Bowelbabe platform. Deborah's final message read: "Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo—it could just save your life."
July
Bernard Cribbins
The beloved film and TV star died at the age of 93. Boasting a career spanning over seven decades, veteran actor Bernard was known to generations for his roles in The Railway Children, the Carry On films and later Doctor Who alongside David Tennant's Doctor, as well as narrating The Wombles in the 1970s.
August
Dame Olivia Newton-John
Dame Olivia was best known for her starring role as Sandy in the 1978 film Grease, in which she acted opposite John Travolta as Danny, and died aged 73 surrounded by family and friends. Tributes poured in from around the world following news of Olivia's death, including from her Grease co-star John, who wrote: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.
"We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever. Your Danny, your John!"
Raymond Briggs
The author and illustrator best known for treasured children's classic The Snowman, died aged 88, with the heartfelt tribute from his family saying he had "lived a rich and full life". Alongside The Snowman, which has sold more than 5.5 million copies around the world as well as being adapted into the timeless film, some of Briggs’ most famous works include Father Christmas, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday, and Fungus the Bogeyman.
September
Bill Turnbull
The presenter and journalist, who fronted BBC Breakfast for 15 years, died "peacefully" at home aged 66 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Bill's family said following his passing: "He was resolutely positive and was hugely buoyed by the support he received from friends, colleagues, and messages from people wishing him luck. It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease."
George Ward, aka Cherry Valentine
The drag performer from Darlington, known by stage name Cherry Valentine, tragically died at the age of just 28, with the star's heartbroken family saying their lives "will never be the same" following the shock news. Formerly a mental health nurse, Cherry appeared on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, before launching a TV career and fronting the BBC documentary Gypsy Queen And Proud.
Dame Hilary Mantel
The author, best known for the bestselling Wolf Hall trilogy, died aged 70. The British writer won the coveted Booker Prize twice, first for her 2009 novel Wolf Hall and again for its sequel, Bring Up The Bodies, in 2012.
October
Dame Angela Lansbury
The iconic actress was best known for her portrayal of Jessica Fletcher in the drama series Murder, She Wrote, with a career spanning an incredible eight decades. Angela, who died "peacefully" in her sleep just days before her 97th birthday, also starred in Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Beauty and the Beast, and her final appearance was as herself in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
Robbie Coltrane
Fans of the Harry Potter film series were devastated when beloved Hagrid star Robbie died aged 72 after a long illness. Acting from his early twenties in the worlds of theatre and comedy, the Scottish star was also known for his role as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald in ITV’s crime drama Cracker.
Leslie Jordan
The Emmy-winning actor, who was best known for his roles in Will & Grace and American Horror Story, sadly died aged 67 after a car crash. His wry Southern drawl and versatility made him a comedy and drama standout, as well as entertaining millions and earning a new legion of fans on Instagram during the Covid pandemic.
November
Aaron Carter
The singer and brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter died aged just 34, with Nick writing in the wake of his death: "My heart has been broken today... I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know". The US musician first found fame as a child star in the 1990s with singles including I Want Candy, and opened for his brother's band on a number of tours and concerts.
Leslie Phillips
The veteran actor, famed for starring in the Carry On films, died at the age of 98. He spent eight decades in the spotlight and became well known for his suggestive catchphrases which included “Ding dong”, “Well, hello” and “I say!”
Christine McVie
The Fleetwood Mac star, who penned some of the band's biggest hits including Little Lies and Don't Stop, died following a short illness at the age of 79. Fleetwood Mac, who have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, posted a touching tribute to Christine on their website: "There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure.
"She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life. We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed."
December
Kirstie Alley
The US actress, best known for her role as Rebecca Howe in Cheers in 147 episodes from 1987 to 1993, died from cancer at the age of 71. Kirstie received both an Emmy award and a Golden Globe for her performance as the bar manager in 1991.
Terry Hall
The lead singer of The Specials died aged 63 from pancreatic cancer. The singer-songwriter rose to fame as part of the band, who were pioneers of the ska scene in the UK, and also collaborated with artists including Bananarama, Gorillaz, Sinead O'Connor and Lily Allen.
Shirley Watts
The wife of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts died aged 82 following a short illness, less than 16 months after the musician’s August 2021 death. She was an accomplished sculptor and highly respected as a breeder and show-woman in the International Arabian horse community.
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