New: Celebrities / Famous + Other People Who Passed in 2023

Very good Nobby, i laughed out at that one, you would think all the clairvoyants etc would pick up grave matters like impending doom / death sooner than they do.

Eric Clapton and other stars to stage tribute concerts to Jeff Beck..

Guitarist Eric Clapton will stage two concerts paying tribute to his former Yardbirds bandmate Jeff Beck, after he died in January aged 78.

Johnny Depp and Sir Rod Stewart are also among the stars expected to perform as part of the tribute at the Royal Albert Hall.

Pioneering and influential rock guitarist Beck died in January at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis.

Beck's widow Sandra Beck, 58, and guitarist Clapton, 77, have announced two concerts to honour Beck's memory and artistry, which will take place at the London venue in May and feature performances from a number of high-profile musicians.

The final line-up is set to be confirmed nearer to the performances, which have been billed for May 22nd and 23rd.

Other artists who have reportedly indicated their interest to be involved in the tribute concerts include Doyle Bramhall, Gary Clark Jr, Billy Gibbons, Imelda May, John McLaughlin, Robert Randolph, Joss Stone, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and Olivia Safe.

Members of Beck's touring band, Rhonda Smith, Anika Nilles and Robert Stevenson, are also expected to perform.

Grammy-winner Beck rose to prominence with rock band The Yardbirds and went on to have a successful solo career and fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice.

A chance meeting with musician Jimmy Page led Beck to join the the Yardbirds in 1965 - replacing the band's former guitarist Clapton.

Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time and is regarded as one of the most influential in rock music.

He recorded his signature song Layla with Derek and the Dynamos and covered Bob Marley's I Shot The Sheriff in 1974.

He has sold more than 280 million records, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time, and is an 18-time Grammy winner.

After close to two years with the band, Beck went on to forge a successful solo career.

Beck made headlines last year when he announced a collaborative album with Depp shortly after the Hollywood actor's defamation battle with ex-wife Amber Heard drew to a close.

The pair first met in 2016 and began recording the album in 2019 while Depp was also playing with Alice Cooper's supergroup Hollywood Vampires.

In 2022, Beck released the full length album, titled 18, with Depp and the pair played a number of live gigs together.

They finished a transatlantic live tour together just weeks before Beck died, with the Pirates Of The Caribbean star reportedly visiting his friend in hospital.

The pair became close friends in recent years and were seen out drinking in Britain together late last year.

Fans are able to register for pre-sale tickets for the Jeff Beck tribute concerts, which will go on sale on March 14th at 10am.

Tickets for the concerts will go on general sale on March 15th at 10am and are available from the venue and BookingsDirect.com.

Surplus income from the concerts will be donated to the Folly Wildlife Rescue, based in Tunbridge Wells.

Sad to hear. I once was given a training session from him on the Fosbury technique. He was a splendid coach and a lovely man. Very polite. 

Paul O'Grady: TV presenter and comedian dies aged 67..

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The comedian's husband, Andre Portasio, broke the news of his death in the early hours of this morning, stating that the Lily

Savage and Blind Date star had died "unexpectedly but peacefully" yesterday evening.

Tributes have already poured in for the TV presenter, with fans and peers thanking him for his work for LGBT+ and animal rights causes.

Paul presented much-loved TV series For The Love Of Dogs, making him well-known for his love of animals.

It was only two weeks ago that a heartbroken Paul took to social media to tell his fans he was grieving the death of one of his pet pigs, Tom Tom, as he shared his final post.

The hog had been diagnosed with a tumour and had to be put to sleep while Paul was away from home, performing in a production of Annie.

Uploading a video of the animal to social media, Paul wrote: "Got back from a week in Newcastle playing Miss Hannigan in Annie to find that Tom Tom, one of my pigs had been put to sleep.

"I knew it was coming as he'd been diagnosed with a tumour but even so it's awful when you lose a pet.

"He was the cheekiest of the gang and one of the other pigs who was obviously very fond of him is now depressed and gone into mourning and there's those who say that animals don't have feelings.

"On a lighter note, I'm thoroughly enjoying playing Hannigan again after so long, especially with a truly amazing and lovely cast. Next stop Edinburgh."

In a statement, Paul's husband wrote today: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening."

"He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion."

He added: "I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years."

Paul and Andre wed in 2017 in front of celebrity guests including Ian McKellen, Michael Cashman and comedian Julian Clary.

Tributes have been pouring in from the entertainment industry for the beloved star.

Paul's former BBC Radio 2 co-star Vernon Kay wrote: "Paul O'Grady was one of the nicest and kindest people I've ever met.

"Always a joy to be around and obviously, so much fun. He will be missed. Telly and friends have lost one of the best....RIP."

Martin Lewis added: "Quite shocked and saddened to wake up to the news of Paul O'Grady passing. A funny man, with incredibly quick wit, who made millions laugh."

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So So Sad news RIP POG...

He was a decent bloke,shame to see he's gone.
Rest in peace Paul O'Grady.

Paul O'Grady: Donations since his death overwhelm Battersea Cats and Dog Home..

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Donations to an animal charity loved by Paul O'Grady have passed £100,000 since the star's death.

Battersea Cats and Dogs Home said it was "overwhelmed and touched" by the donations.

The TV and radio presenter became an ambassador for the charity in 2012 after hosting For The Love Of Dogs, which had 11 series filmed there.

After his death on Tuesday evening at the age of 67, the animal charity set up a tribute fund.

Chief executive Peter Laurie said: "Over the coming weeks and months, Battersea will be finding the best way to pay tribute to our wonderful friend and ambassador, the late, great Paul O'Grady MBE.

"We have been overwhelmed and touched by the countless letters, calls, emails and messages of support along with the generous donations made by kind members of the public this week."

Mr Laurie has previously said O'Grady was a "genuine animal lover" and his "real legacy" was how he showed the British public and an international audience how "lovable and incredible" rescue dogs were, inspiring people to adopt and rehome.

O'Grady was given a special recognition award at the 2018 National Television Awards for the impact the ITV series had on helping find homes for rescue animals nationwide.

Just read a little epitaph to him, where he lost a lot of money and property through " friends and people he trusted", but the torture of drink got to him and latterly affected by dementia,but his recall prior to this was of great nights and momentous occasions, great boxer,RIP KB

Nigel Lawson: Reforming chancellor dies aged 91..

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Former Conservative chancellor Nigel Lawson has died at the age of 91.

Best known for his role as chancellor during the 1980s, Lord Lawson held several cabinet posts under Margaret Thatcher and served as Conservative MP for Blaby from 1974 to 1992.

PM Rishi Sunak called Lord Lawson a "transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others".

Lord Lawson is survived by six children, including Nigella Lawson, a food writer and celebrity cook.

Sex Pistol John Lydon's wife Nora Forster dies aged 80 after the 67-year-old punk icon cared for her in years-long battle with Alzheimer's: Star had said life without woman he married 44 years ago would be 'unbearable'

John Lydon's wife of almost five decades, Nora Forster, has died aged 80 after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's disease, the former Sex Pistols frontman has confirmed.

The singer formerly known as Johnny Rotten, 67, has often spoken about being a full-time carer for Nora, who he previously said he 'always loved' and couldn't live without.

A heartfelt statement on his account said: 'It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that Nora Forster - John Lydon's wife of nearly five decades - has passed away.

'Nora had been living with Alzheimer's for several years. In which time John had become her full-time carer. Please respect John's grief and allow him space. Rest in Peace Nora.'

The British punk pioneer lived in southern California with Nora and served as her primary carer for some five years after she was diagnosed with the illness - a life-limiting neurodegenerative condition.

Lydon, 67, married Nora in 1979 and recently admitted that life without the former model would be 'unbearable'.

Born Nora Maier, she was a German publishing heiress with a passion for music, who later became a promoter.

She had a daughter, Ariane, from her previous marriage to German singer Frank Forster. Better known as Ari Up, the late singer became the frontwoman of The Slits as a teenager and a punk icon in her own right.

Nora moved with Ari in the 1960s to west London, and hosted bands and rockstars like The Clash, Yes and Jimi Hendrix at her Shepherd's Bush home.

In 1975, Nora met Lydon, who was 14 years her junior, at Vivienne Westwood's famed King's Road clothes shop Sex.

The pair were at first warned off each other by friends, but despite this, Lydon said they had an immediate and explosive connection - one which would last a lifetime.

'It's love, you know. I've always loved that woman. And she knows it. When we met we didn't expect to get on. We'd both been told the other was a bad'un. But blimey. Sparks flew. It was instant attraction,' he told The Guardian last year.

'And that's never gone. I never expected to feel like that. I never thought I was in any way attractive. Or anyone's idea of a good date.'


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The former Sex Pistol remained fiercely loyal to his wife despite the rock and roll lifestyle he led, telling Yahoo that as a star of one of the world's biggest bands 'sex was thrown at you, left right and centre'.

'No, it wasn't for me… I don't like that flippancy. I grew up having childhood illnesses, and somehow it left me feeling that there was something wrong with me,' Lydon said, referring to his ordeal with spinal meningitis aged just seven.

Lydon spent a year in hospital and suffered from severe side effects, including memory loss for four years following the disease, an experience he said helped him to understand his wife's recent illness and needs.

'For me, the real person is still there. That person I love is still there every minute of every day, and that is my life,' he said.

In her final years, Lydon added that Alzheimer's experts had been astounded with the extent to which Nora continued to remember him, saying 'a bit of love goes a long way.'

He and his wife's devotion to one another was clear - and after decades together he said there would be 'no one else' for either of them if the other died.

Speaking about his role as his wife's full-time carer before her passing, the Public Image Ltd (PiL) singer told The Times in February: 'All the things I thought were the ultimate agony seem preposterous now... It's shaped me into what I am.

'I don't think I'll ever get over it. I don't see how I can live without her. I wouldn't want to. There's no point.'

'And, I'm sorry, but it's worth every moment. No joy comes without pain and, boy, do I know that now.'

'It's not a job at all,' he said of tending to Nora. 'You make your commitment to a person and nothing changes. These are the cards life dealt, and my mum and dad were right: never show self-pity. Ever.'

London-born Lydon, perhaps best known for his band's trailblazing punk rock tracks like God Save the Queen, has worked tirelessly over recent years to raise awareness around Alzheimer's.

He recently auditioned to represent Ireland - the country of his parents' birth - with his band Public Image Ltd (PiL) performing self-written track Hawaii.

He struggled to hold back tears in January, as he revealed the song was dedicated to Nora and inspired by her condition.

Explaining the song's lyrics, John shared: 'It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most.

'It's also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.'

Nora's death is not the first tragedy Lydon has had to face, with the untimely passing of his stepdaughter, Ari Up, in 2010 leaving him and Nora grieving for the loss of her only child.

Lydon previously said that he believes Nora's illness began at the time of her daughter's death from breast cancer.

Nora leaves behind Ari's sons, Pablo and Pedro, who she and Lydon adopted in 2000, as well as her third grandson, Wilton.

Posted by Steve Tovey