Western Daily Press (Saturday)
More of the famous faces who
AUGUST Jamie Reid
The artist behind the Sex Pistols’ signature album covers died at the age of 76.
His most notable work was the artwork for the British punk band’s classic 1977 song God Save The Queen which featured a young Elizabeth II with the record title plastered across her eyes and mouth.
Sir Michael Parkinson
The veteran broadcaster, who was considered the king of British chat show hosts, died aged 88 following a brief illness.
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”.
Mohamed Al-Fayed
The controversial former Harrods owner died at the age of 94.
Following the death of his son Dodi Fayed alongside Diana, Princess of Wales in a car crash in Paris in 1997, the businessman repeatedly claimed they were murdered in a plot by the British establishment.
He set about building his empire, which also included Fulham FC, on arriving in the UK from Egypt in the 1960s but lost repeated bids to obtain British citizenship.
SEPTEMBER Mike Yarwood
The comedian, famed for his impressions of politicians and other celebrities in the 1960s and 1970s, died at the age of 82.
He was famous for mimicking Harold Wilson and Edward Heath as well as the then Prince of Wales.
Rory Bremner, well-known for impersonating more modern political figures, hailed Yarwood as the person who “kicked the door down” for impressionists to become big names, adding that “if it hadn’t been for him ... I don’t think I would have become an impressionist”.
Professor Sir Ian Wilmut
The scientist who led the team which cloned Dolly the sheep 27 years ago died at the age of 79.
He was part of a team at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh which successfully cloned Dolly in 1996.
Prof Wilmut was hailed as a “titan of the scientific world” and “household name”.
Sir Michael Gambon
The actor, 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.
JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe led tributes to the star, who was hailed as a “wonderful man” and an “outstanding actor”.
OCTOBER Francis Lee
The former England striker died at the age of 79 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
He joined Manchester City from home town club Bolton Wanderers in 1967 and spent eight years with the squad as well as playing for the national side where he won 27 caps.
Following his retirement from football he entered the business world before becoming Manchester
City chairman from 1994 until 1998.
Bill Kenwright
The theatre and film producer died at the age of 78 surrounded by family and loved ones.
Sir Ian McKellen led tributes to Kenwright, who was also chairman of Everton FC, saying that showbusiness “will be dimmer now he has gone”.
Sir Bobby Charlton
The England and Manchester United star 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.
Matthew Perry
The Friends star was found dead at his Los Angeles home aged 54.
He was one of the most familiar faces on television in the world during the 10 series of Friends, in which he played Chandler Bing.
His family, friends and co-stars paid tribute to the actor, who has been described as “the funniest man ever”.
NOVEMBER Terry Venables
The former England manager and player nicknamed El Tel died aged 80 after a long illness.
He won two caps for England and managed the side when they reached the semi-finals of Euro 1996, as well as playing for Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers.
Former England captain Gary Lineker led tributes to Venables, calling him the “best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for”, as well as “vibrant”, “charming” and “a friend”.
Henry Kissinger
The former US secretary of state who dominated foreign policy for much of the 1970s died at the age of 100. After fleeing Germany, where he was born, for the US in 1938 due to Nazi rule, he became a national security adviser and then secretary of state, where he was controversial. He made numerous visits to the UK where he dined with Diana, Princess of Wales and had breakfast with Margaret Thatcher.
Shane MacGowan
The Pogues frontman 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.
His wife praised him as the “love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel”, while Irish president Michael D Higgins said it had been a “great honour” for him to present the singer with a lifetime achievement award.
Alistair Darling
The former chancellor, who steered the UK through the 2008 financial crisis, died at the age of 70.
In his long political career he went from a left-winger to a more centrist cabinet minister before leading the campaign to stay in the Union in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Tributes flooded in from across the political spectrum, with fellow
Scot Gordon Brown, who was prime minister during Mr Darling’s time at the Treasury, calling him a man of “unimpeachable integrity”.
DECEMBER
Professor Benjamin Zephaniah
The poet and author died aged 65 just weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
His family described the dub poet, who had dyslexia and left school aged 13 unable to read and write, as a “true pioneer and innovator”.
His friend Sir Lenny Henry led tributes to him, saying his “passion for education for all was tireless”.
Ryan O’Neal
The Hollywood star died “peacefully” at the age of 82.
He starred in Love Story, Paper Moon and alongside Barbra Streisand in What’s Up, Doc?.
Streisand said he was “funny and charming, and he will be remembered”.