The stars we lost in 2021

31 December 2021, 21:02 | Updated: 22 November 2024, 10:35

Radio X remembers the musicians, actors and other celebrities that passed away over the past 12 months.

1. Ed Asner, actor

   The actor, best known for the US sitcom Lou Grant and roles in Up and Elf, died on 29th August aged 91.

2. Ned Beatty, actor

   Best known for his roles in Deliverance, Superman and All The President's Men, Beatty died on 13th June, aged 83.

3. Lionel Blair, TV presenter and dancer

   

   Blair started his entertainment career as a dancer, but later became famous as a TV personality, appearing on shows like Give Us A Clue. He died on 4th December, aged 92.

4. Johnny Briggs, actor

   

   The London actor was most famous for his long-running role in Coronation Street as Mike Baldwin. He died on 28th February, aged 85.

5. Steve Bronski, Bronski Beat

   

   The founder of the 80s synth-pop trio died after a fire at his flat in London on 7th December. He was 61.

6. John Challis, actor

   

   Most famous for his role as "Boycie" in the sitcom Only Fools And Horses, Challis died on 19th September aged 79.

7. Dustin Diamond, actor

   

   The US actor achieved fame as "Screech" in the series Saved By The Bell, He died on 1st February, aged 41.

8. DMX, musician

   

   The US rapper, real name Earl Simmons, died on 9th April, aged 50 from a heart attack.

9. Richard Donner, director

   

   The US filmmaker, best known for helming The Omen, Superman, The Goonies and Lethal Weapon, did on 5th July, aged 91.

10. Nikki Grahame, TV personality

    

    The Big Brother 7 contestant died on 9th April of complications from anorexia nervosa. She was 38.

11. Jimmy Greaves, footballer

    

    The Spurs and England forward, later a TV sports pundit, died on 19th September, aged 81.

12. Sarah Harding, musician

    

    The Girls Aloud singer died on 5th September after a battle with breast cancer. She was 39.

13. Dusty Hill, ZZ Top

    

    The ZZ Top bassist died on 28th July, aged 72.

14. Sally Ann Howes, actor

    

    Best known for her role as Truly Scrumptious in the film version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Howes died on 19 December, aged 91.

15. Jethro, comedian

    

    The veteran comic - real name Geoffrey Rowe - died from COVID on 14th December, aged 73.

16. Joey Jordison, Slipknot

    

    The drummer for US metal act Slipknot died on 26th July aged 46. He'd suffered from the neurological condition acute transverse myelitis for many years.

17. Nick Kamen, model and musician

    

    Kamen became famous after appearing in a Levis TV ad, and then had a short musical career, with his hit Each Time You Break My Heart co-written by Madonna. He died from bone marrow cancer on 4th May, aged 59.

18. Larry King, TV presenter

    

    The veteran US TV host died on 23rd January, aged 87.

19. Yaphet Kotto, actor

    The New York actor was best known for appearing in the original Alien and as the Bond villain in Live And Let Die. He died on 15th March, aged 81.

20. Sean Lock, comedian

    

    The stand up comedian, who made a TV career appearing on shows like 15 Storeys High and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, died of lung cancer on 16th August. He was 58.

21. Biz Markie, musician

    

    The rapper and producer, best known for 1989's Just A Friend, died on 16th July, aged 57.

22. Carlos Marin, musician

    

    The Spanish baritone was a member of classical group Il Divo. He died from COVID on 19th December, aged 53.

23. Gerry Marsden, musician

    The lead singer of Liverpool band Gerry & The Pacemakers died on 3rd January, aged 78. Contemporaries of The Beatles, the Pacemakers were the first band to have their first three singles all make No 1 in the UK charts.

24. Jackie Mason, comedian

    

    The American stand-up and actor died on 24th July, aged 93. In later years, Mason voiced Krusty The Clown's father on The Simpsons.

25. Helen McCrory, actor

    

    Known for her roles in Peaky Blinders and The Queen, McCrory died on 16th April, aged 52.

26. Michael Nesmith, The Monkees

    

    The guitarist for the "manufactured" band - best known for his woolly hat and laconic persona - died on 10th December aged 78 from heart failure. After The Monkeys, Nesmith had a solo career and was instrumental in the founding of MTV.

27. Lee "Scratch" Perry, musician

    

    The influential Jamaican producer and singer died on 29th August, aged 85.

28. Prince Phillip

    

    Although not strictly a star from the entertainment world, HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh was one of the most famous people in the world, having been married to Queen Elisabeth II since 1947. He died on 10th June, aged 99.

29. Mick Rock, photographer

    

    Rock was best known for his images of Queen, Lou Reed and David Bowie in the early 1970s. He died on 18th November, aged 72.

30. Anne Rice, author

    

    The American writer, best known for Interview With The Vampire, died on 11th December following a stroke. She was 80.

31. Paul Ritter, actor

    

    The British actor, known for his roles in Friday Night Dinner, Chernobyl and Quantum Of Solace, died on 5th April, aged 54.

32. Phil Spector, musician and producer

    

    The controversial producer died on 17th January, aged 81. Spector developed the legendary "Wall Of Sound" for artists like The Ronettes and Ike & Tina Turner and went on to produce material by The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison and The Ramones. In 2003, he was convicted of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson and died in prison.

33. Jim Steinman, songwriter and producer

    

    Steinman was best known for his work with Meat Loaf on the Bat Out Of Hell album and died on 19th April, aged 73.

34. Ian St John, footballer

    

    The Scottish professional footballer, who played for Liverpool and later enjoyed a TV career alongside fellow sportsman Jimmy Greaves, died on 1st March, aged 82.

35. Dean Stockwell, actor

    Stockwell started his career as a child actor, but later appeared in movies such as Blue Velvet, Dune and Air Force One. He was also known for his role as "Al" in the TV series Quantum Leap. He died on 7th November, aged 85.

36. Una Stubbs, actor

    

    Stubbs was best known for her appearances in the Cliff Richard vehicle Summer Holiday, the TV game show Give Us A Clue and as Aunt Sally in the 1980s version of Worzel Gummidge. She died on 12th August, aged 84.

37. James Michael Tyler, actor

    

    Tyler played the role of coffee shop barista Gunther in Friends between 1994 and 2004. He died from prostate cancer on 24th October, aged 59.

38. Bunny Wailer, musician

    Neville O'Riley Livingston was one of The Wailers, alongside reggae superstars Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. He died on 2nd March, aged 73.

39. Murray Walker, journalist and commentator

    

    Walker was best known for his excitable commentaries on Formula One races on the BBC and ITV. He died on 13th March, aged 97.

40. Charlie Watts, musician

    

    Watts joined The Rolling Stones in 1963 and remained as their drummer until his death on 24th August, aged 80. Elton John said that Watts was "the ultimate drummer... the most stylish of men, and such brilliant company".

41. Archibishop Desmond Tutu

    

    Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. The public figure, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, passed away on 26 December, aged 90.

42. Janice Long

    

    The legendary broadcaster, who was best known for her appearances across BBC Radio, sadly passed away after a brief illness, aged 66. Long was also the sister of television presenter and actor Keith Chegwin, who tragically passed away in December 2017.
    

43. Betty White

    

    The veteran actress Betty White, who was most known for starring in The Golden Girls passed away on Thursday 30th December 2021. She was sadly just under three weeks away from her 100th birthday.