AT 3.10pm on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, history shifted a little. The reign of Queen Elizabeth II ended after 70 years and 214 days.
As the world’s most famous woman and UK’s longest-serving monarch, she witnessed and influenced a time of remarkable change.
The Queen’s death prompted an outpouring of national mourning
When she came to the throne in 1952 as a 25-year-old mother of two, few people had TVs and just one in five owned a car.
Elizabeth’s reign saw empire become Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and entry to and exit from the EU.
Despite troubles, including her “annus horribilis” of 1992, dedication and sense of duty will be her legacy.
She died 17 months after her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, after a year of Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
In this three-page special we look at others who have left us this year.
Richard Leakey, 77, January 2
WORLD-renowned Kenyan conservationist and fossil hunter who found fame fronting the 1981 BBC series The Making Of Mankind and promoted Africa as the birthplace of humanity.
Peter Bogdanovich, 82, January 6
DIRECTOR, writer and actor. The Last Picture Show, What’s Up, Doc? and Paper Moon were among his most successful films.
US-born, he had a recurring role in The Sopranos.
Calvin Simon, 79, January 6
US gospel singer who was a founding member of the band Parliament-Funkadelic.
He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1997 along with 15 other group members.
Sidney Poitier, 94, January 6
Sidney Poitier was a legend of cinema who broke down barriers
FIRST black star to win an Oscar for Best Actor.
His movie hits included The Defiant Ones, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, To Sir, With Love and In The Heat Of The Night.
Gary Waldhorn, 78, January 10
ACTOR best known for his role as Cllr David Horton in The Vicar Of Dibley.
Also recognised for his work in West End theatre and his collaborations with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Ronnie Spector, 78, January 12
US singer who co-founded 1960s girl group The Ronettes, whose hits included Be My Baby.
Divorced from violent label boss Phil Spector, who was jailed for murder in 2009.
Peter Seabrook, 86, Jan 14
Sun Gardening journalist Peter Seabrook MBE was a true expert in his field
MUCH-loved journalist and broadcaster who wrote The Celeb Report’s gardening column for more than 40 years.
A popular host of BBC TV’s Gardeners’ World, he was made an MBE in 2005.
Meat Loaf, 74, Jan 20
Meat Loaf’s record sales are still strong even after his death
BORN Michael Lee Aday, the US rock star sold 100million records.
His Bat Out Of Hell album stayed in the charts for nine years and still sells 200,000 copies a year.
Barry Cryer, 86, January 25
THE comedy legend was a writer, comic and actor who performed on stage, radio and TV.
Wrote for many famous names including Morecambe and Wise. Appointed an OBE in 2001.
Leonard Fenton, 95, January 29
BEST known as GP Dr Harold Legg, one of the original characters in EastEnders.
His acting career in TV, film and stage spanned six decades and his final appearance in the soap was in 2019.
Bamber Gascoigne, 87, February 8
THE original host on University Challenge, he held the position for 25 years.
Coined phrases such as “Fingers on buzzers” and “Your starter for ten”. Made a CBE in 2018.
Jack Smethurst, 89, February 16
TV and film actor best known for his role as bigoted union leader Eddie Booth in 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour and for playing four different parts in Coronation Street.
Jamal Edwards, 31, February 20
Jamal Edwards MBE was one of YouTube’s early stars
MUSIC mogul and YouTuber who founded SBTV as a teenager and helped launch the careers of Jessie J, and Ed Sheeran.
Awarded an MBE in 2014. Died of a heart attack.
Anna Karen, 85, February 22
PLAYED bespectacled Olive in On The Buses from 1969 to 1973 and later Sal in EastEnders.
Born in South Africa, she moved to London aged 17 and was best friends with Barbara Windsor.
Rod Marsh, 74, March 4
THE Aussie wicketkeeper played in 96 Tests and struck up a partnership with bowler Dennis Lillee, which yielded a record 95 dismissals.
The pair retired from Test cricket in same 1984 match.
Lynda Baron, 82, March 5
BEST known as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in BBC comedy Open All Hours with Ronnie Barker and David Jason.
Also starred for a decade as Linda Clarke in EastEnders.
William Hurt, 71, March 13
US stage and screen actor who won the Best Actor Oscar for 1985 film Kiss Of The Spider Woman.
Also starred in The Big Chill, Broadcast News and five Marvel blockbusters.
Peter Bowles, 85, March 17
THE suave star will be fondly remembered for his roles in hit TV comedies and dramas including Rumpole Of The Bailey, Only When I Laugh, To The Manor Born and The Bounder.
Paul Jiggins, 50, March 17
SunSport was saddened by the loss of talented writer Paul Jiggins
FIRST-rate journalist acknowledged as SunSport’s greatest intro writer and all-round good guy.
A devoted Millwall fan, “Jiggo” contributed the must-read Week At The Knees column.
Madeleine Albright, 84, March 23
THE first woman to serve as US Secretary Of State (1997-2001).
Born in Prague, she became an American citizen in 1957. Appointed as US ambassador to the UN by Bill Clinton.
Taylor Hawkins, 50, March 25
DRUMMER in rock band Foo Fighters.
Recorded eight studio albums with the band and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2021.
Died in Colombia from an overdose.
Tom Parker, 33, March 30
The Wanted’s Tom Parker was just 33 when he died
SINGER with boy band The Wanted who also had solo success.
The band’s debut single All Time Low hit No 1 and they sold ten million records.
Died from an inoperable brain tumour.
June Brown, 95, April 3
June Brown was best known for her role as Dot Cotton
A VETERAN of stage, cinema and TV, she played loveable Dot Cotton in EastEnders for more than 30 years.
She was appointed an MBE in 2008 and 14 years later was awarded an OBE.
Sir James Anderton, 89, May 5
BEAT officer who rose to become Gtr Manchester’s Chief Constable.
Claimed he received guidance from above in his police duties and was known as “God’s copper”.
Dennis Waterman, 74, May 8
Multi-talented Dennis Waterman was an actor and singer
ACTOR best known for tough-guy roles in The Sweeney, Minder (alongside George Cole) and New Tricks.
He was also a singer who performed the theme tunes of the latter two series.
Kay Mellor, 71, May 15
THE actress, writer, producer and director is best known for creating hit TV shows such as Fat Friends, Band Of Gold and The Syndicate.
Also co-created CITV’s Children’s Ward.
Vangelis, 79 May 17
GREEK composer behind some of the most memorable music in cinema history.
His best-known scores feature in Chariots Of Fire, for which he won an Oscar, and Blade Runner.
Ray Liotta, 67, May 26
Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta passed away at the age of 67
ONE of the stars of Martin Scorsese’s classic Goodfellas, in which he played real-life mobster Henry Hill.
The New Jersey-born actor passed away in his sleep in the Dominican Republic.
Andy Fletcher, 60, May 26
DEPECHE MODE keyboard player, nicknamed “Fletch”, who co-founded the group and was a member for 40 years, in which time they had two No 1 albums.
Died at home from a torn artery.
Lester Piggott, 86, May 29
THE outstanding jockey of the post-war era won the Epsom Derby a record nine times.
Rode first winner aged 12 but went to prison for tax fraud in 1987, forfeiting his OBE.
Bruce Kent, 92, June 8
CATHOLIC priest and charismatic peace activist known for his work with CND, serving in many roles within the group.
Was also chairman of the charity War On Want.
Billy Bingham, 90, June 9
MOST successful manager in Northern Ireland football history, taking the side to the World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986.
Played for the national side in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Hilary Devey, 65, June 11
MILLIONAIRE businesswoman and Dragons’ Den star.
The haulage boss was made a CBE for services to the transport industry.
Died at holiday home in Morocco after a long illness.
Phil Bennett, 73, June 12
ONE of the greatest players to wear the No 10 shirt for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, the fly-half won 29 caps and starred for the Lions on their historic unbeaten tour of South Africa in 1974.
Frank Williams, 90, June 26
MUCH loved for his portrayal of dithering Rev Timothy Farthing in BBC sitcom Dad’s Army.
Off screen, he was deeply religious. In his later years he served on the council of the actors’ union Equity.
James Caan, 82, July 6
US actor who shot to fame playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather films.
Also known for his work on hit movies Misery and Rollerball. Before his acting career took off, he was a rodeo rider.
Tony Sirico, 79, July 8
BEST known for playing wise guy “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri in The Sopranos.
Appeared in several mob films including Goodfellas.
Arrested 28 times and served time in jail before acting changed his life.
Ivana Trump, 73, July 14
FIRST wife of ex-US president Donald.
They married in April 1977 and had children Ivanka, Donald Jr and Eric before divorcing in 1992.
The businesswoman was a media personality and author.
Paul Sorvino, 83, July 25
THE swaggering Goodfellas star portrayed boss Paul Cicero in the 1990 Mafia movie.
In a screen career that began in 1970, the Brooklyn-born heavyweight often played cops or gangsters.
David Trimble, 77, July 25
ULSTER Unionist leader whose backing of the Good Friday Agreement jointly brought him the Nobel Peace Prize.
Elected First Minister of Northern Ireland in 1998. Later became Lord Trimble.
Bernard Cribbins, 93, July 27
Bernard Cribbins was a major star for several decades
IN a seven-decade career, the comic actor and West End star appeared in The Railway Children and a series of comedy films including the Carry On series.
Also featured in Doctor Who in a 1966 movie and alongside David Tennant in the 2006 TV series.
Narrated 1970s children’s favourite The Wombles. As a singer he had hits with 1960s novelty records.
Terry Neill, 80, July 28
ARSENAL defender who later managed the club to three Cup Finals, winning one.
Before that he was in charge of the Gunners’ fierce local rivals Tottenham as well as his native Northern Ireland.
Nichelle Nichols, 89, July 30
ACTRESS starred as Lieutenant Uhura in the original Star Trek series and its film sequels.
Worked with Nasa to boost astronaut diversity. Sang with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton before acting career.
Archie Battersbee, 12, August 6
TRAGIC Archie was the subject of a legal battle after suffering brain stem death.
The courts ruled in favour of NHS medics and against his parents, and allowed life support to be switched off.
Lamont Dozier, 81, August 8
MOTOWN legend who created hits for The Supremes, including Baby Love. the Four Tops and the Isley Brothers.
Co-wrote 14 US No1s. One-third of production team Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Raymond Briggs, 88, August 9
ILLUSTRATOR and author best known for The Snowman, a picture book without words, which was turned into a festive film hit.
Other works include Fungus The Bogeyman and When The Wind Blows.
Sir Ralph Halpern, 83, August 10
BURTON Group founder who headed a High Street empire which at its peak had 2,000 stores, with brands including Topshop.
Dubbed “five-times-a-night” after an affair with a 19-year-old model.
Anne Heche, 53, August 11
ACTRESS whose personal life subsequently eclipsed her film, TV and theatre successes.
Was in a relationship with US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
Died days after crashing her car into a house.
Darius Danesh, 41, August 11
Singer and reality TV star Darius Danesh died at just 41
CONTESTANT on TV show Pop Idol who became a West End star in Chicago.
Had a No 1 with Colourblind and released four more UK top ten singles.
Died from accidental inhalation of an anaesthetic.
Duggie Brown, 82, August 16
CORONATION Street actor who had three spells playing different characters in the ITV soap.
Became a household name at 30, starring alongside fellow 1970s comics Frank Carson and Bernard Manning.
Mikhail Gorbachev, 91 August 30
Mikhail Gorbachev helped to reshape the world as we know it
RUSSIAN politician and one of the most significant figures of the 20th Century.
Played a major role in ending the Cold War. Last leader of the Soviet Union.
Bill Turnbull, 66, August 31
HOSTED BBC Breakfast for 15 years and also presented Songs Of Praise.
The star’s gentle style was well suited to early morning broadcasting.
After leaving the BBC in 2016 he joined Classic FM.
John McVicar, 82, September 6
REFORMED armed robber who became an author and journalist after a 23-year jail term ended in 1978.
Twice escaped high-security prisons. Scripted biographical film McVicar, starring Roger Daltrey.
Gwyneth Powell, 76, September 8
GRANGE HILL star played no-nonsense head Bridget “The Midget” McClusky.
Also appeared in A Touch Of Frost and Man Down. Died from complications after major surgery for a perforated colon.
Dame Hilary Mantel, 70, September 22
ONE of the leading English novelists of the 20th Century whose Wolf Hall trilogy – about the life of Thomas Cromwell – brought fame and fortune.
The first woman to win the Booker Prize twice.
Coolio, 59, September 28
LA RAPPER – real name Artis Ivey Jr – who was best known for Grammy-winning single Gangsta’s Paradise.
Started rapping as a teenager, earning him the early nickname Coolio Iglesias.
Loretta Lynn, 90, October 4
US country music legend whose career spanned six decades and featured multiple gold albums.
Her father was a miner and her song Coal Miner’s Daughter was also the title of the film about her life.
Dame Angela Lansbury, 96, Oct 11
STARRED as sleuth Jessica Fletcher in 264 episodes of US TV drama Murder, She Wrote.
The Brit’s career spanned eight decades and she was one of the last survivors of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Jerry Lee Lewis, 87, October 28
US rock ’n’ roll wild-man pianist, singer and songwriter with major hits including Great Balls Of Fire.
His career nose- dived in the wake of his marriage, at 22, to his 13-year-old cousin, once removed.
Ronnie Radford, 79, November 2
EARNED a place in FA Cup folklore when he scored a screamer of a late equaliser for part-timers Hereford United in a replay against Newcastle United in 1972, which they went on to win.
Bill Treacher, 92, November 5
THE EastEnders favourite was the first person cast when the BBC soap launched in 1985, and went on to play Arthur Fowler for 11 years.
Also appeared in a number of classic 1970s TV series.
Leslie Phillips, 98, November 7
A NATIONAL treasure, the old-school comic’s catchphrase “Ding Dong” referenced his character in Carry On Nurse.
Appeared in 85 films and was the voice of the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films.
Father Abraham, 87, November 8
THE man behind The Smurfs music was born Pierre Kartner. The Dutch musician is said to have written 1,600 songs.
Launched his alter-ego in 1971 and his Smurfs songs sold 17million worldwide.
Garry Roberts, 72, November 9
LEAD guitarist with The Boomtown Rats, who had a No 1 with I Don’t Like Mondays and launched Bob Geldof’s career.
After they split, he worked with Simply Red and Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark.
Sue Baker, 75, November 14
TOP GEAR host who fronted the TV show from 1980-1991 and was motoring editor of The Observer.
After bowing out from Top Gear she set up a motor racing news agency based at Brands Hatch.
Wilko Johnson, 75, November 21
DR FEELGOOD guitarist whose machine-gun playing style and manic stage presence was a big influence on British punk.
Also appeared as the mute executioner in Game Of Thrones.
David Johnson, 71, November 23
STRIKER who was the first player to score for Liverpool and Everton in different Merseyside derbies.
Joined Liverpool from Ipswich for a then-club record fee of £200,000 in 1976.
Irene Cara, 63, November 25
THE US singer will be remembered for her role as Coco in the hit film Fame. She had a No1 with the title track.
Also co-wrote and sang Flashdance . . . What A Feeling. Cause of death is unknown.
Doddie Weir, 52, November 26
SCOTTISH rugby great who played for his country from 1990 to 2000 and represented the British & Irish Lions.
The campaigner died six years after developing MND and was made an OBE in 2019.
Jiang Zemin, 96, November 30
HARDLINE Communist Party leader who guided China’s rise after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
Continued opening up the country to capitalism while keeping a tight reign on freedoms.
Christine McVie, 79, November 30
CUMBRIA-born singer who wrote or co-wrote some of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits including Little Lies and Songbird.
Before joining, she performed with 1960s British blues band Chicken Shack.
Kirstie Alley, 71, December 5
Actress Kirstey Alley passed away after a battle with colon cancer
CHEERS star who received an Emmy for her portrayal of bar manager Rebecca in the classic US sitcom.
Also appeared in the movie Look Who’s Talking opposite John Travolta.
Jet Black, 84, December 6
DRUMMER with rock band The Stranglers, who had hits with No More Heroes and Golden Brown.
Born Brian John Duffy, he owned ice cream vans before joining the band, who later toured in the vehicles.
Johnny Johnson, 101, December 7
THE last surviving Dambuster, who was a bomb aimer on the RAF’s daring 1943 raid to destroy Hitler’s dams in the Ruhr Valley.
He rose to the rank of Squadron Leader and flew a further 19 missions.
Ruth Madoc, 79, December 9
HI-DE-HI! actress who played holiday camp host Gladys Pugh in the hit TV comedy.
Appeared alongside Topol in 1971 film Fiddler On The Roof and more recently in sketch show Little Britain.
Martin Duffy, 55 December 18
KEYBOARD player with Primal Scream who stepped in to help The Charlatans at Knebworth in 1996 following the death of founding member Rob Collins.
Duffy died of a brain injury after a fall at home.
Ali Ahmed Aslam, 77, December 19
INVENTOR of Britain’s favourite curry, chicken tikka masala.
The Pakistan-born Glasgow restaurateur said he created the recipe in the 1970s after a customer complained his chicken was too dry.
Terry Hall, 63, December 19
THE lead singer of Coventry two-tone band The Specials, who were pioneers of the 1970s UK ska scene and had hits including Ghost Town and Too Much Too Young.
Died of pancreatic cancer.
Maxi Jazz, 65 December 23
FAITHLESS lead vocalist, born Maxwell Fraser, who had a huge hit with the dance band’s club classic Insomnia.
Fronted Maxi Jazz And The E-Type Boys and was a Crystal Palace FC director.
John Bird, 86, December 24
SATIRIST who performed with Rory Bremner and John Fortune in Channel 4’s Bremner, Bird and Fortune.
Wrote scripts for Sixties TV show That Was The Week That Was, a title he came up with.
Pelé, 82, December 29
Brazil legend Pele lost his battle with colon cancer this week
BRAZIL football legend – born Edson Arantes do Nascimento – said to be the greatest player of all time. Became synonymous with “the beautiful game” and was the sport’s first global superstar.
Scored an astonishing 1,279 goals in 1,363 games including friendlies, a world record.
The only player to win the World Cup three times – in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Played domestically for Santos, making his debut aged 15, and went on to land the Brazilian championship six times.
Died with his third wife Marcia Aoki at his bedside after a long battle with colon cancer.
Dame Vivienne Westwood, 81, December 29
Vivienne Westwood was a legendary fashion designer
FASHION icon known as the queen of punk,
who hit the headlines when she opened a boutique on
the King’s Road with Sex Pistols boss Malcolm McLaren, bringing new wave and punk fashions into the mainstream.
Later expanded her business worldwide, with much of her merchandise promoting activism.
