WE lost some all-time greats in 2020.
Sean Connery, Maradona, Jack Charlton, Vera Lynn, Little Richard, Barbara Windsor and Kirk Douglas were among those who died this year. Here, in a three-page special, we bid them a final farewell . . .
JANUARY
NEIL PEART
As a member of prog-rock group Rush, the 67-year-old Canadian was considered to be one of the great drummers. As Rush’s main lyricist, Neil – who died of brain cancer on Jan 7 – helped the band sell over 40million albums.
DEREK FOWLDS
Best known for his role as naive Bernard Woolley in Yes Minister. As “Mr Derek” he was Basil Brush’s sidekick in the 70s and grumpy Oscar Blaketon in ITV’s Heartbeat for 18 years. He died aged 82 on Jan 17 with pneumonia.
TERRY JONES
Monty Python hero who specialised in gruesome old women – including the “Messiah’s” battleaxe mum in Life Of Brian. A historian, director and writer, he got dementia in 2015 and fought for research on the illness. He died at 77 on Jan 21.
KOBE BRYANT
Basketball legend was the youngest player to join the NBA at 17. The LA Lakers star won five championships and two Olympic golds. He died aged 41, with six friends and his daughter, 13, in a helicopter crash near LA on Jan 26.
NICHOLAS PARSONS
Actor and presenter over seven decades. From 1971-1983 millions watched him on Anglia TV’s Sale Of The Century quiz. He also hosted Radio 4 panel game Just A Minute for more than 50 years. He died at 96, on Jan 28.
FEBRUARY
HARRY GREGG
The brave Northern Ireland and Manchester United keeper rescued a child and a pregnant mum as well as his team-mates and manager from the wreckage of the Munich air disaster in 1958. Harry died aged 87 on Feb 16.
KIRK DOUGLAS
When the dimple-chinned acting legend died aged 103 on February 5, the curtain came down on the Golden Age of cinema. Kirk, whose son Michael became just as famous in Hollywood, overcame poverty to star in Spartacus Gunfight At The O.K. Corral, The Bad And The Beautiful and Lust For Life.
CAROLINE FLACK
The world of entertainment went into shock after the former Love Island presenter ended her own life aged just 40 on Feb 15. Caroline became a household favourite, hosting The X Factor and winning Strictly Come Dancing, but had a troubled private life.
ANDREW WEATHERALL
The genius dance music DJ was best known for producing Primal Scream’s groundbreaking album Screamadelica in 1991 – the first ever winner of the Mercury Prize. He died aged 56 on February 17 following a blood clot.
MARCH
MAX VON SYDOW
The Swedish actor was most recognised for his role as Ming The Merciless in Flash Gordon. Max, who appeared in more than 150 films including The Seventh Seal and The Exorcist, died aged 90 on March 8 at his home in France.
KENNY ROGERS
US country singer known for The Gambler, The Coward Of The County and Islands In The Stream, had 120 hit singles and sold more than 100million records. He married five times and died in his sleep on March 20 aged 81.
BILL WITHERS
The three-time Grammy- winning soul legend left a memorable catalogue including Lovely Day, Ain’t No Sunshine and Lean On Me. Bill, who died aged 81 on March 30, was so disillusioned with the music industry that he retired in 1985.
APRIL
EDDIE LARGE
Formed an act with straight man Syd Little in 1962 and their BBC1 show pulled in audiences of 15million from 1978-1991. After a transplant in 2003 he campaigned for the British Heart Foundation. Eddie died with Covid aged 78 on April 2.
7TH MARQUESS OF BATH
Hippie eccentric Lord Bath had 74 mistresses called “wifelets”, erotic murals and a safari park at Longleat, his Wilts stately home, featured on TV’s Animal Park. Alexander Thynn, 87, died with Covid, April 4.
HONOR BLACKMAN
While she will be best remembered as feisty Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger in 1964, she starred in many films and on TV as Cathy Gale in The Avengers and in sitcom The Upper Hand. Honor died aged 94 on April 5.
TIM BROOKE-TAYLOR
A household favourite in the 1970s as part of TV comedy trio The Goodies with Bill Oddie and Graeme Garden. Tim, who died on April 12 aged 79 with Covid, had many TV roles and was a regular on Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.
NORMAN HUNTER
The tough-tackling defender was nicknamed “Bite yer legs”. He won the league twice and FA Cup in 726 games with Leeds and was also in England’s 1966 World Cup squad, Norman, 76, died on April 17 with Covid.
SIR STIRLING MOSS
To the legendary F1 driver, who won 16 Grands Prix from 1955-1961, helmets were for “cissies” and danger “an aphrodisiac”. Moss, the greatest driver never to have won a world championship, died in his sleep aged 90 on April 20.
FLORIAN SCHNEIDER
As a founding member of Kraftwerk in 1970, the German was a pioneer of electronic music, influencing a huge array of artists with tracks such as The Model and Autobahn. Florian died from cancer aged 73 on April 21.
LYNN FAULDS WOOD
Former Sun journalist hosted consumer TV show Watchdog with husband John Stapleton for eight years. Lynn, who had bowel cancer in 1991, campaigned on the illness. She died of a stroke aged 72 on April 24.
JILL GASCOINE
After regular TV apperances in the 70s, she came to fame in 1980 as Maggie Forbes in The Gentle Touch, the first show to centre on a woman cop. Jill, who wrote three novels and beat cancer, died from Alzheimer’s on April 28 aged 83.
IRRFAN KHAN
One of Indian cinema’s greats who starred in Slumdog Millionaire and also made it to Hollywood, appearing in The Amazing Spiderman, Life Of Pi and Jurassic World. Irrfan, diagnosed with a tumour in 2018, died on April 29 aged 53.
TONY ALLEN
Nigerian drummer and songwriter pioneered the Afrobeat genre in the 1970s in Fela Kuti’s band Africa ’70. Tony, 79, who played with Damon Albarn of Blur and later created the electronica-fused Afrofunk, died in Paris on April 30.
MAY
TERRY CLARK
One of the last two surviving members of The Few, the airmen who served in The Battle of Britain in 1940. A navigator and radar operator in WW2, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. He died on May 7, aged 101.
LITTLE RICHARD
As one of the founding fathers of rock ’n’ roll, Richard Penniman had a string of hits in the 1950s under his stage name, including Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally and Good Golly, Miss Molly. The born-again Christian endured a cocaine addiction and was attacked for being openly gay, which harmed his career at the time. He died aged 87 on May 9.
GEORGE FLOYD
The 46-year-old Minneapolis bouncer became a symbol of the struggle against racism. His death on May 25 – after a police officer arresting him knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes – sparked protests across the world.
MICHAEL ANGELIS
Boys From the Black Stuff and Liver Birds actor was narrator for the Thomas The Tank Engine kids’ show, 1991-2012. Michael, partner of Corrie’s Helen Worth from the 70s to 2001, died of a heart attack aged 76 on May 30.
JUNE
BOB (THE STREET CAT)
Busker James Bowen’s ginger Tom became a global sensation after starring in two films and featuring in many books. He was 14 when he was run over by a car in London around June 13.
WILLIE THORNE
Snooker star turned commentator whose brilliance was hit by a fragile temperament and gambling addiction. Willie, who went on Strictly in 2007, lost £3.5m betting. He died aged 66 on June 17 of leukaemia.
DAME VERA LYNN
The Forces’ Sweetheart died at the grand old age of 103 on June 18. The Queen was among those who paid tribute to the beloved singer, whose performances of We’ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs Of Dover lifted the spirits of millions in World War Two. Her album Vera Lynn 100, released for her centenary, made her the top-selling female artist of 2017.
SIR IAN HOLM
In a six-decade career he played an android in Alien, a trainer in Chariots Of Fire and Bilbo Baggins in The Lord Of The Rings. Married four times, he died aged 88 on June 19 after cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
LOUIS MAHONEY
A Gambian-born Brit, one of the first black actors seen regularly on TV, appearing in Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who and Holby City. An avid campaigner for race equality in acting, he died on June 28, aged 81.
CARL REINER
The American actor’s performance as veteran con man Saul Bloom in the Ocean’s films cemented his reputation as a showbiz treasure. Carl, who died aged 98 on June 29, won 11 Emmy Awards.
JULY
ENNIO MORRICONE
The Italian composer wrote more than 400 scores for films and TV, including the iconic theme to The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. He died in Rome on July 6, aged 91, following a fall.
NAYA RIVERA
Best known for playing cheerleader Santana Lopez in TV series Glee, the American actress drowned on July 8 aged just 33 while swimming in a California lake with her four-year-old son Josey.
JACK CHARLTON
Robust defender in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning side and revered manager of Ireland’s national team. After winning the league, FA Cup and League Cup with Leeds United, he took the Republic to the European Championships in 1988, their first World Cup finals in 1990 and again in 1994. Big Jack died of cancer, aged 85, on July 10.
PETER GREEN
The guitarist and singer was one of the founding members of Fleetwood Mac. Peter suffered from mental health problems after taking LSD and left the group in 1970. He died on July 25 aged 73.
DAME OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND
British- US actress hailing from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Won two Oscars and three nominations, one for Gone With The Wind, in 53-year career. She died on July 26 aged 104.
DENISE JOHNSON
Performed on Primal Scream’s classic 1991 Screamadelica album and with New Order, A Certain Ratio and Pet Shop Boys. She was about to release a debut solo album when she died suddenly at 56 on July 27.
SIR ALAN PARKER
English film-making great whose works included Bugsy Malone, Fame, Midnight Express, Pink Floyd’s The Wall, Birdy, The Commitments, Evita, Angela’s Ashes and Angel Heart. He died aged 76 on July 31.
AUGUST
JOHN HUME
The former leader of Northern Ireland’s Social Democratic and Labour Party was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his crucial role in ending the Troubles. He died from dementia on Aug 3 aged 83.
BEN CROSS
The British actor was best known for playing Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 film Chariots Of Fire, and as Sarek in the 2009 film Star Trek. He died from cancer, aged 72, on Aug 18.
CHADWICK BOSEMAN
Diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2016, the US actor nevertheless put in powerhouse performances as Marvel superhero Black Panther. The standalone Black Panther film of 2018 smashed box-office records and Chadwick starred in two massive Avengers movies. He died on August 28, aged 43, with fans saying he was irreplaceable.
SEPTEMBER
ALAN MINTER
This gifted Brit was world middleweight boxing champion in 1980. When he lost his title to Marvin Hagler at Wembley, bottles and seats were hurled into the ring. Alan died aged 69 from cancer on Sept 9.
RONALD BELL
He founded Kool And The Gang with brother Robert, who co-wrote the funk band’s nine hit singles, including the disco classics Ladies’ Night and Celebration. A father of ten, he died aged 68 on Sept 9.
DAME DIANA RIGG
During a six-decade acting career Dame Diana married James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, played the kick-ass Emma Peel in TV’s The Avengers and became the Queen of Thorns in Games Of Thrones. Diana, who gave up smoking in 2009 after needing heart surgery, died quietly in her sleep aged 82 on September 10.
TOOTS HIBBERT
Pioneering leader of Jamaican band Toots And The Maytals, whose 1968 song Do The Reggae is credited with naming the genre. After an influential 58-year career, he died with Covid on Sept 11, aged 77.
SIR TERENCE CONRAN
The man who founded Habitat in 1964 helped to drag British design into the modern era. Sir Terence, who also had a string of restaurants and wrote many books, died aged 88 on Sept 12.
RUTH BADER GINSBURG
An American supreme court judge since 1993, Ruth helped fight for women’s equal rights and became the oldest US justice in 2010. Ruth died aged 87 from cancer on Sept 18.
TOMMY DEVITO
Guitarist and singer, founding member of US group The Four Seasons had hits with Walk Like A Man and Big Girls Don’t Cry. His story is told in the musical Jersey Boys. He died with Covid aged 92 on Sept 21.
JACKIE STALLONE
Wrestling promoter, astrologer, dancer, Big Brother contestant and mother of actor Sylvester – she was many things. Most of all, the star who died aged 98 on Sept 21, always got noticed.
MICHAEL LONSDALE
French-born son of a British Army officer best known as Bond baddie Drax in 1979’s Moonraker. Starred in Remains Of The Day and The Day Of The Jackal. He died on Sept 21, aged 89.
HELEN REDDY
The Australian-American singer and songwriter became a feminist icon with her anthemic I Am Woman in 1972 and had 15 US hits. She died on Sept 29, aged 78, with Addison’s disease and dementia.
FRANK WINDSOR
Frank broke new ground as Detective Sergeant John Watt in the BBC police drama Z-Cars in the 1960s. A regular on shows such as Peak Practice, he died at home aged 92 on Sept 30.
OCTOBER
JOHNNY NASH
The US singer-songwriter was best known for his 1972 hit I Can See Clearly Now. He also had a No1 in 1975 with Tears On My Pillow. He died of natural causes at his home in Houston, Texas, aged 80, on October 6.
EDDIE VAN HALEN
Revolutionary guitarist and songwriter Eddie co-founded the rock band Van Halen in 1972. Best known for the song Jump, Eddie, who was likened to Mozart, died, aged 65, on Oct 6 from cancer.
SPENCER DAVIS
The singer/musician from Swansea founded the Spencer Davis Group with Steve Winwood in 1963. They had hits including Keep on Running. He died from pneumonia on Oct 19, aged 81.
FRANK BOUGH
A much-admired 70s and 80s TV stalwart, presenting the BBC shows Grandstand and Nationwide. His fall was spectacular, sacked in 1988 over cocaine and sex workers. He died aged 87 on Oct 21.
BOBBY BALL
Comedian best known as half of the double-act Cannon And Ball. After meeting his comedy partner Tommy Cannon while working in a factory as a welder, they began on the cabaret circuit in the North. Their Saturday-night telly show was a major ratings hit in the Eighties. Bobby died on October 28, aged 76, after testing positive for coronavirus.
JJ WILLIAMS
Key player in the legendary Welsh rugby teams of the 1970s, he scored 12 tries in 30 tests, as well as five in seven for the British and Irish Lions. The “Welsh Whippet” died aged 72 from cancer on Oct 29.
NOBBY STILES
The midfielder played for Man Utd and was one of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning heroes. Nobby, who died on Oct 30 aged 78 after suffering from dementia, will forever be known for his 1966 victory jig.
SIR SEAN CONNERY
Best known for playing James Bond in seven of the franchise’s films between 1962 and 1983, the Scottish actor also starred in a string of hit films over a career that stretched seven decades. Sir Sean, who won an Oscar for his performance as veteran Irish-American officer Jimmy Malone in 1987’s The Untouchables, died of heart failure at his Bahamas home aged 90 on October 31.
NOVEMBER
JOHN SESSIONS
The actor and comedian was best known for Whose Line Is It Anyway?. He was also a regular on QI and Have I Got News For You. He died from a heart attack at his London home on Nov 2, aged 67.
GEOFFREY PALMER
The actor’s hangdog expression made him perfect for playing dour characters in sitcoms, including Butterflies and As Time Goes By alongside Dame Judi Dench. He died, aged 93, on Nov 5 after a short illness.
DES O’CONNOR
Singer/comic shot to fame in the 1950s compering Buddy Holly’s only UK tour and was a fixture on TV for more than 40 years in chat, entertainment and game shows. He died, aged 88, on Nov 14.
RAY CLEMENCE
Legendary Liverpool keeper, 72, won three European Cups and five league titles in 470 games to 1981. Played 61 times for England and was the national side’s goalkeeping coach. He died on Nov 15.
ERIC HALL
The flamboyant agent, known for his “monster monster” catchphrase, started out in the entertainment industry before moving into football. He died on Nov 16, aged 73, after contracting Covid.
DIEGO MARADONA
Arguably the best footballer ever, he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup, his infamous Hand Of God goal vs England followed by a genius solo effort. After taking Napoli to two Italian titles, he fell into cocaine and alcohol addiction but managed Argentina at the 2010 World Cup. His death, from a heart attack aged 60 on Nov 25, saw mass mourning in the country.
DAVE PROWSE
The Bristol-born 6ft 6in former bodybuilder was best known for playing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, and as the Green Cross Code Man. He died on Nov 28, aged 85, with Covid.
PAPA BOUBA DIOP
Nicknamed “The Wardrobe” because of his size, the Senegalese defender became a cult star for Fulham, Portsmouth and West Ham from 2004. He died on Nov 29, aged 42, after a long illness.
DECEMBER
PETER ALLISS
Ex- pro and Ryder Cup player who became the “Voice Of Golf”, in nearly 60 years of commentating for the BBC. His last job, for The Masters, was just three weeks before he died on Dec 5, aged 89.
DAME BARBARA WINDSOR
The much-loved TV and film star made her theatre debut aged just 13, and went on to enjoy a career spanning seven decades, with starring roles in the Carry On films and later as formidable landlady Peggy in EastEnders. Barbara, who was made a Dame in 2016, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014. She died aged 83 at a London care home on December 10.
JOHN LE CARRE
A former spy, David Cornwell wrote 25 books under his pen name, including classics The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Smiley’s People. He died on Dec 12, aged 89.
GERARD HOULLIER
The Frenchman managed Liverpool from 1998 for six years, leading the team to five major trophies, including an FA, League and Uefa Cup treble in 2001. He died on Dec 14, aged 73, after a heart op.
JEREMY BULLOCH
Played Boba Fett in two original Star Wars films and again in 2005’s Revenge Of The Sith. Also had TV roles in a career that spanned more than 45 years. Jeremy died, aged 75, on Dec 17 of Parkinson’s.
EILEEN POLLOCK
Northern Irish actress best known as brassy Lilo Lil in hit 1980s sitcom Bread. She also appeared in Taggart and The Bill and in films Far And Away and Angela’s Ashes. She died, aged 73, on Dec 19.
STELLA TENNANT
Supermodel, 50, was famed for her 1990s androgynous, punky looks. Became muse to Karl Lagerfeld and the face of Chanel. The mother of four, recently split from husband David Lasnet, died on Dec 22.
JOHN EDRICH
Only the third left-handed batsman to make 100 centuries, John, who had leukaemia, was one of English cricket’s toughest opening batsmen, playing in 77 test matches. He died aged 83 on Dec 23.
GEORGE BLAKE
MI6 traitor betrayed 400 British spies to the Soviets at the height of the Cold War, causing many agents’ deaths. Jailed for 42 years in 1961, he escaped to Moscow in 1966. He died aged 98 on Dec 26.
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