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.