Paying tribute to the stars we've lost in 2020 – in memoriam
We honour the stars we've lost, through the words of those who knew them best.
2020 has already seen us say farewell to some famous faces from the world of entertainment. Here, we pay tribute to stars of TV, film, music and beyond, along with the words of their friends, colleagues and loved ones – gone, but never forgotten.
MF Doom - groundbreaking rapper - died October 31 but death was announced December 31
"He was a writer’s writer. Grateful I got to know you a little, king. Proud to be your fan. Thank you for keeping it weird and raw always. You inspired us all and always will." - El-P
"RIP to another Giant your favorite MC’s MC .. MF DOOM!! crushing news…" - Q-Tip
Dawn Wells - actress who played Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island - died December 30
"Really sad! R.I.P." - Elvira
Jeremy Bulloch - actor who played Boba Fett in the Star Wars films - died December 17
"RIP Legend I'll never forget all you've taught me.!! I'll love you forever... May the force be with you, always." - Daniel Logan
Natalie Desselle-Reid - actress from B*A*P*S and Eve - died December 7
"Natalie Desselle-Reid was the REAL DEAL. If you were blessed to know her you had a sister and a friend." - Yvette Nicole Brown
Hugh Keays-Byrne – Mad Max actor – died December 1, aged 73
"I'm continually floored that he played Toecutter, the central antagonist of 1979's MAD MAX *and* Immortan Joe, the central antagonist 2015's MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. Thanks for all the entertainment, sir." – Filmmaker Ted Geoghegan
"Hugh had a generous heart, offering a helping hand to people in need, or a place to stay to a homeless teenager. He cared about social justice and preserving the environment long before these issues became fashionable. His life was governed by his sense of the oneness of humanity. We will miss his example and his friendship. Vale, Hugh." – Filmmaker Brian Trenchard-Smith
David Prowse - best known for playing Darth Vader in Star Wars - died November 28, aged 85
"He was a kind man and much more than Darth Vader." – Mark Hamill
"I don't think 3PO ever faced Vader's mighty presence on set, other than as a bag of bits on Chewie's shoulders in the carbon freezer. But Dave's iconic figure dominated the finished film in '77 and has done so ever since. And will continue to do so." – Anthony Daniels
"RIP David Prowse. That stature contributed so much to Darth Vader's legend." – Carl Weathers
"Darth Vader wouldn't be the same without you in the costume. We had many fun times and laughs at [conventions] together over the years. Glad to have been able to call you a friend. Rest now and be one with the Force!" – Daniel Logan
"David Prowse as Darth Vader was BRILLIANT. He was so unbelievably magical in that suit. I've watched Empire so many times with the sound off just to watch how he moved. His physical choices were as iconic as James' voice to me and aside from all of that he was such a nice man." – Joe Manganiello
Heavy D (real name Colin Newell) - Celebrity Big Brother star – died aged 43
"I'm very shocked & saddened to hear of the passing of my friend @HeavyheavyD u lived ur life the way u wanted to & f**k anyone who didn’t like it! U always brought a smile to my face bro & lifted any room you where in. #RIPHeavyD" – Nick Nevern
"We are shocked to hear the sad news that Heavy D has passed away today. Our condolences go to his family at this very sad time. #RIPHeavyD" – AFTV
Dominic Grant - Guys 'n' Dolls singer and Bruce Forsyth's son-in-law - died November 18
"It is with such great sadness that I have to tell you I have lost my darling Dominic, suddenly on Wednesday November 18, to an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was an amazing husband, father, brother and brand new grandad. My heart is shattered. He was kind and strong and always the life and soul of the party. His distinctive, beautiful voice will live on forever – I couldn't have loved him more and don't quite know what our family will do without him... he was our shining star." - Julie Grant, Dominic's wife
Des O'Connor – comedian, singer and TV host – died November 14, aged 88
"He was a joy to work with – he was talented, fun, positive, enthusiastic, kind and a total professional. He loved life, and considered enthusiasm almost as important as oxygen. Des was the ultimate entertainer. He loved being on stage – entertaining a live audience. He always said the sound of laughter was like the sound of heavenly music." – Pat Lake-Smith, agent
"Very sad news to hear Des O'Connor has died, to be on his show in 2012 was a highlight after watching him throughout my childhood. An icon on TV, a gentleman and one of the best! Rest in peace Des." – Olly Murs
"Not only did he radiate star quality, he was always a really nice man to me down through the years. They don't make them like Des anymore. Rest in peace." – Eamonn Holmes
"I'm so sad to hear that the wonderful Des O'Connor has died. He was a true pro and a gorgeous person. My love to Jodie and all his family at this sad time. Rest in peace Des. You are sorely missed already." – Kate Robbins
"Des O'Connor was such a nice, nice man. The ultimate professional, an impeccable entertainer, skilful, stylish, self-deprecating, fun to be with, lovely to know. One of the best. RIP Des – a privilege and a real pleasure to have known you. Thanks for the fun." – Gyles Brandreth
"Des had the softest hands of anyone I ever met and the kindest of hearts. He had talent in every fibre of his being and was stubborn as a mule. He was the full ticket as a friend and colleague. When he chose me to be his co host on the 'Today' daytime show it was one the greatest days of my professional life. It was an education and a privilege to work with him for the years that followed. We worked long hours but always laughed lots, not least because when it was showtime he would always tell me I looked like robbers dog! These years I will never forget and nor will I forget him. Darling Des you will be forever missed." – Melanie Sykes
"Today we lost a great entertainer, a lovely man and for me, someone I had the pleasure to call a friend. Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Jodie and his family. Rest in peace my friend, until we meet again." – Theo Paphitis
"We have lost a true gent, one who was never more than a note away from a song or a laugh, and who never failed to say 'piddle, bum, and stocking tops' if any of us fluffed a line. Countdown audiences adored him – and so did we. Sing on, Des." – Susie Dent
Alex Trebek – long-time host of US gameshow Jeopardy! – died November 8
"Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex." – Jeopardy!
"This is an enormous loss for the Jeopardy! staff, crew, and all of Alex's millions of fans." – Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards
"Part of our lives for decades, he taught us about so many things and now Alex Trebek has gone from us. Sending love to his family and friends. We will miss you, sir. Godspeed." – Nancy Sinatra
Ken Spears – co-creator of Scooby-Doo – died November 6
"He was a true innovator in the industry whose gifts of humour and storytelling continue to delight audiences." – Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.
Geoffrey Palmer – British actor best know for As Time Goes By – died November 6
"We’re sad to report the death of Geoffrey Palmer, who starred in The Silurians, The Mutants and Voyage of the Damned." – Doctor Who
"The flight path gag wiping out the lines of Reggie Perrin’s brother in law is one of my favourite running gags in comedy. RIP to the brilliantly funny Geoffrey Palmer." – Edgar Wright
"Very sad to hear that Geoffrey Palmer has left us. I was very excited to meet him once and then had the honour to act with him in the film Lost Christmas. His work will stay with us and through that he can live on forever. Good work Sir. Rest in peace." – Eddie Izzard
"RIP Geoffrey Palmer. An immaculate singular actor, always brilliant in everything, but my favourite was always Ben Parkinson in 'Butterflies'." – Reece Shearsmith
"RIP Geoffrey Palmer - such a wonderful actor, such a lovely guy. Brilliant at his craft & just the best company: wickedly funny... he did everything he did so well. Thanks for all the happy memories Geoffrey: we’ll cherish them as time goes by." – Gyles Brandreth
John Sessions – Comedian and actor known best for Whose Line Is It Anyway – died November 2
"John Sessions was a panellist on QI's first ever episode: Series A, Episode One, 'Adam'. His incredible wit and encyclopaedic knowledge played a huge part in the show's history and everyone at QI is deeply saddened to learn of his passing." – QI
"Very sad to hear about the death of #JohnSessions. He was brilliantly talented, made me laugh a lot, and was a friend for twenty five years. RIP." – Reverend Richard Coles
"RIP John Sessions. A delightful, funny, generous and hugely gifted man." – Jack Dee
"Jeez. Another one. John Sessions. Just the best, he’d blow everyone away on Whose Line with his speed of thought & breadth of reference. Utterly absorbed by Hollywood, its characters and stories, brilliant raconteur, genius mimic. A flash of brilliance just went out." – Rory Bremner
Luis Troyano – Great British Bake Off 2014 finalist – died October 2020
"We are deeply saddened to hear that Luis Troyano has passed away. It was a huge honour and pleasure to have him in the Bake Off Tent for Series Five. Our condolences and thoughts go out to his friends and family." – Great British Bake Off
"Baking something special today in memory of our beloved baker and friend, @luistroyano, who sadly lost his battle with cancer last week. A true gent with the biggest laugh, you will be so missed - an honour to share that tent with you, King Luis." – Martha Collison
"The bake off family will miss you Luis. A real gent and a pleasure to know. Sending so much love and strength to your friends and family." – Candice Brown
Sean Connery – actor and James Bond icon – died October 31
"We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time. A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor." - son Jason Connery
"He defined an era and a style. The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster." - Daniel Craig
"He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond." - Shirley Bassey
Bobby Ball – comedian, actor, singer and one half of comedy duo Cannon and Ball – died October 28
"Rock on, my good friend, I can't believe this, I'm devastated." - Tommy Cannon
"I will always miss him, he was so joyful, full of fun and mischievous." - Yvonne Ball
"So heartbroken to read about the passing of comedy legend Bobby Ball. Such a hilarious man. The comedy community is a poorer place without him." - Jason Manford
"Just heard the sad news that the wonderful Bobby Ball has died. He was a true entertainer with real funny bones. Thoughts with Tommy, Yvonne and his family at this sad time. RIP Bobby." - Les Dennis
Johnny Leeze – actor who played Ned Glover in Emmerdale – died October 25
"RIP Johnny Leeze. My flat mate when I arrived in Emmerdale in 1997. Old school and wayward but full of good advice. The funniest stories attached to this fella. Non repeatable here I’m afraid." - Dominic Brunt
"He was my friend, he was such a strong, strong man. He was such a great guy, a really funny guy. He was loved by everybody really. Even by his ex-wife, who is with me today, my mum. I don't know what else to say. I'm numb, I just can't get my head round it at the minute. I want to say so much more about him but I just don't know what to say." - Holly, Johnny's daughter
Frank Bough – TV presenter best known for Grandstand and Breakfast Time TV – died October 21
"I am deeply saddened at the loss of an old television friend: Frank Bough was a great man to work with. We launched #BBCBreakfastTime in January 1983. Always there for advice and support. ‘They’ said we wouldn’t get on but we absolutely did - chalk n cheese! See you, Frank." - Russell Grant
"I met Frank Bough when I was a young reporter. He was kind, helpful and generous with his time. His brilliant career was blighted by scandal but I hope people will remember how fine a broadcaster he was. One of the very best in the business." - Jeff Stelling
William Blinn – writer, best known for Brian's Song, Purple Rain and Starsky & Hutch – died October 22, aged 83
"He was humble, pensive, very fair, sensitive, generous, simple, intimidating to many but a huge heart of gold, so intelligent, an introvert… my dad." – Anneliese Johnson
"'Roots' was the most important broadcast in tv history. 'Brian's Song' was the only tv movie ever to be released as a feature because it was so great. William Blinn wrote them both. He was a giant. RIP to a master storyteller." – Billy Ray
Marge Champion – actress known for being the model for Disney's Snow White – died October 21
"The beautiful #MargeChampion has died at 101. Before I started in “Hello Dolly” I had lunch with her just to hear some tales; she was Gower Champion’s assistant on #Dolly. We howled. She gave me a lesson in how to come down stairs without looking down; sadly...it didn’t work." – Bette Midler
"We lost the "pixie dust" of the Blue Fairy (and Snow White) today with the passing of the talented dancer Marge Champion who modeled for the animators. Thanks for helping to inject "the illusion of life!" – Eddie Sotto
Photo Director, Hearst UK
Shyvonne Thomas is Digital Spy's Photo Director, looking after Digital Spy's and Hearst's digital brand visuals across the board. She also writes and conducts interviews specialising in the Power shows, anything Beyoncé, family days out, as well as championing content across Black TV shows and movies.
Having started her career as Shopping Assistant for Mother & Baby and Pregnancy and Birth magazines in 2010, Shyvonne moved on to become Picture Assistant at heat magazine in 2012, before joining the Daily Star, Express and OK! websites as Galleries Editor in 2014.
Shyvonne is an NCTJ-accredited journalist and studied an honours degree in Journalism. In 2021, Shyvonne was shortlisted for the PPA Unsung Hero Award. Shyvonne is also a proud mum.
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