Gone but not forgotten – the stars we lost in 2017
LIZ DAWN BRUCE FORSYTH GLEN CAMPBELL ROGER MOORE ROBERT HARDY BARRY NORMAN JOHN NOAKES MICHAEL BOND ADAM WEST
HERE are the stars we lost in 2017.
There were an incredible amount from the world of TV and music including entertainer Keith Chegwin and singer David Cassidy.
Society girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson died in 2017 as did Colin Dexter who wrote the stories that inspired three TV series – Morse, Lewis and Endeavour.
On the international stage we lost Fats Domino who inspired countless musicians who came after him.
All-round entertain Bruce Forsyth died as did Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn.
Here, sadly, is a partial list of the bright stars who are no longer shining.
KEITH CHEGWIN
Keith Chegwin died on December 11 aged 60 following a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition.
Famous for presenting classic TV programmes like Cheggers Plays Pop and MultiColoured Swap Shop, the presenter was a mainstay on British television for many years.
DAVID CASSIDY Former teen heartthrob David Cassidy died
in December after suffering acute liver and kidney failure.
The Partridge Family star had been in a medically induced coma after being taken to hospital in Florida after his faltering health declined.
The 67-year-old pop idol, who suffered years of alcohol abuse, had been battling dementia in the final months of his life.
MALCOLM YOUNG
After a long battle with dementia, the legendary guitarist and founder of AC/DC died on November 19 aged 64. Surrounded by his family, he died peacefully in his sleep.
The musician’s family said in a statement on Facebook: “Renowned for his musical prowess, Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist, performer, producer and visionary who inspired many.
“From the outset, he knew what he wanted to achieve and, along with his younger brother, took to the world stage giving their all at every show. Nothing less would do for their fans.”
TARA PALMERTOMKINSON
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson died on 8 February, aged 45. The former It girl, who appeared on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, had revealed a secret year-long battle with a brain tumour. Doctors discovered the tumour in January last year.
FATS DOMINO
Legendary rock and roll singer Fats Domino died on October 25 at the age of 89.
His biggest hits included Blueberry Hill and Ain’t That A Shame.
The star amassed 35 US Billboard Top 40 successes, selling more than 100 million records and influencing a number of other musicians including Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
COLIN DEXTER
The author of Inspector Morse, Colin Dexter, died peacefully in his Oxford home on March 21 2017 at age 86.
An alumni of Cambridge University, Dexter wrote the series between 1975 and 1999, which were later adapted by ITV Studios between 1987 and 2000.
The TV series was so popular that a sequel series, Lewis, starring Geordie actor Kevin Whately, and a prequel series, Endeavour, were made.
RODNEY BICKERSTAFFE
Rodney Bickerstaffe, the former general secretary of Unison died, aged 72, on October 3.
Mr Bickerstaffe led the public sector union NUPE before it became Unison, and was also a former president of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described him in glowing terms as “warm, decent and principled” and a “great friend”.
HUGH HEFNER
The founder of racy magazine Playboy, Hugh Hefner died on September 27 at the age of 91.
A spokesman said he died peacefully from
“natural causes” at his home, the Playboy Mansion in Hollywood.
Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953 and the X-rated brand spawned TV and film companies and the famous mansion where he lived alongside dozens of his ‘Bunnies.’
Always presiding over his realm in silk pyjamas and a smoking jacket while puffing on a pipe, Heffner had three wives and claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 women in his lifetime.
star Liz Dawn passed away aged 77 on September 25 after developing severe breathing problems resulting from emphysema.
The soap actress trod the Corrie cobbles as Vera Duckworth for 34 years, making her first appearance in 1974 alongside on-screen husband Jack, played by Bill Tarmey.
She left in 2008 but made one last appearance in 2010 when her ghost visited Jack before he passed away. Coronation Street
Legendary entertainer and face of dance show Bruce Forsyth died in August at the age of 89.
Bruce is recognised by the Guinness World Records as having the longest television career for a male entertainer.
He shot to fame in the mid-1950s on ITV Strictly Come Dancing, series before hosting shows like Sunday Night at the London Palladium, The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right You Bet!
and The star also co-presented Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013, and was well known for his catchphrase, “Nice to see you, to see you nice” – which went on to be voted the most popular UK catchphrase in 2007 by the British public.
Country music legend Glen Campbell died on August 8 at the age of 81.
The singer passed away after a “long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease” in Nashville, with the news of his death revealed in a statement on his official website. Campbell, best known for his hits
and was being cared for in a specialist Cowboy, Wichita Lineman On My Mind, unit. Rhinestone Gentle
Barry Norman, the famous film critic, died on July 1 at the age of 83.
Norman, who was also known for TV presenting and writing, leaves behind his two daughters, Samantha and Emma.
In a statement they called him “remarkable”, adding: “He had a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career.”
Sir Roger Moore died on May 23, aged 89, after a short battle with cancer.
A statement was released on the star’s Twitter account by his family.
It read: “With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated.”
He died in Switzerland after a short battle with cancer.
The London-born star is best known for playing famous secret agent 007. Great and Small
John Noakes died on May 28 aged 83. He was the show’s longest-serving presenter.
Noakes joined the hit children’s show on December 30, 1956 and left the programme after 12-and-a-half years on June 26, 1978.
He is considered by many to have been the Blue Peter’s James Bond Actor Robert Hardy, star of
and away on August 3 aged 91.
A graduate from Oxford University, Hardy was best known for his role as senior veterinarian Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small and also appeared in Inspector Morse, Manhunt and Edward the Seventh. All Creatures Harry Potter, passed most successful and memorable presenter in its entire history.
He was known for his daredevil stunts and looked after dog Shep. Blue Peter Blue Peter
Revered creator of Michael Bond passed away at the age of 91 on June 28.
According to his publisher HarperCollings, Bond died after a short illness.
Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, said: “I feel privileged to have been Michael Bond’s publisher – he was a true gentleman, a bon viveur, the most entertaining company and the most enchanting of writers.
“He will be forever remembered for his creation of the iconic Paddington, with his duffle coat and wellington boots, which touched my own heart as a child and will live on in the hearts of future generations.” Paddington Bear,
Adam West, who played Batman in the camp 60s TV show, passed away on June 10 aged 88 after a short battle with leukaemia.
The actor portrayed the Caped Crusader on the small screen from 1966 to 1968.
In later years, West also regularly appeared on animated comedy Family Guy, voicing a fictional version of himself.