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

Strictly star Len Goodman dies in a hospice surrounded by family 'after a short illness'...aged 78

He died on Saturday at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, surrounded by his family. He had had bone cancer.

Goodman featured on Strictly from its launch in 2004 until 2016 and proved popular with viewers for his wry humour and avuncular critiques.

As well as Strictly, he also appeared on the US version of the show, Dancing With the Stars from 2005 until 2022.

A statement from his manager, Jackie Gill, on Monday said: "It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78.

"A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him."

Goodman began dancing at 19, winning the British Championships in his late 20s, after which he retired to become a professional judge and teacher.

He was the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing from its inception, and made his final appearance on the 2016 Christmas Day special.

He also served as head judge on Dancing With The Stars for more than 15 years, announcing his retirement in November last year saying he wanted to "spend more time with my grandchildren and family" in the UK.

Goodman, who was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance, was also the owner of the Goodman Academy, a dance school in Dartford, Kent.

Tim Davie, BBC director general, said: "Len Goodman was a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions.

"He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone's family. Len was at the very heart of Strictly's success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family."


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Jerry Springer, era-defining talk show host, dies aged 79..

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Jerry Springer, best known for hosting his raucous TV talk shows, has died aged 79

The controversial presenter died at his home outside Chicago on Thursday after a "brief illness", according to family

The Jerry Springer show ran for 27 years and was known for its wild crowd and fights between guests

It featured participants laying out their dysfunctional relationships in excruciating detail in front of an audience

The show became famous worldwide but was accused of exploiting vulnerable and working class people's domestic troubles for entertainment

Prior to his broadcasting career, which included roles as a political reporter and commentator, Springer was the mayor of Cincinnati

Rolf Harris: Serial abuser and ex-entertainer dies aged 93 - (He was a famous celebrity who turned into an infamous celebrity.)

Just like Jimmy Savile & Gary Glitter these 3 entertainers were heroes / idols from my childhood, i loved them all.

Just need Glitter who is 79 to pop his clogs and they will all be in Hell entertaining the Devil.....

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Disgraced former entertainer Rolf Harris, who was jailed for a series of indecent assaults on girls, has died aged 93.

Harris was found guilty of a string of indecent assaults between 1968 and 1986 following a trial in 2014 - and was jailed for five years and nine months.

He was released from prison in 2017 - but never apologised to his victims.

Before his crimes came to light, Harris had been a fixture of family entertainment in Britain.

According to his death certificate, which was registered on Tuesday, he died of neck cancer and "frailty of old age" at his home in Bray, Berkshire, on 10th May.

A statement released by his family said: "This is to confirm that Rolf Harris recently died peacefully surrounded by family and friends and has now been laid to rest.

"They ask that you respect their privacy. No further comment will be made."

Following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, Harris was initially found guilty of 12 attacks on four girls, mainly in the 1970s and 1980s.

One conviction, relating to an allegation he indecently assaulted an eight-year-old girl, was later overturned.

But Court of Appeal judges dismissed his application to challenge the other 11 convictions.

The victims included two girls in their early teens and a friend of his daughter.

Tina Turner - the singer who became a superstar with hits like The Best and What's Love Got to Do With It - has died aged 83 after a long illness.

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Mick Jagger saddened by death of 'wonderful friend'
"I'm so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner," Rolling Stones star Sir Mick Jagger has said.

Jagger, who duetted with Turner during Live Aid back in 1985, shared his condolences on Instagram.

He added that Turner was "inspiring, warm, funny and generous".

"She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her."

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Beach Boys' Brian Wilson: She was one of the greats
Brian Wilson, the co-founder of hugely successful US group The Beach Boys, said he was "so sorry" to hear the news.

"I loved Tina and her voice and energy - she was one of the greats," he said.

“River Deep, Mountain High will always be one of my favorite songs.

"And nothing beats her version of Proud Mary. I loved her musical too. Love & Mercy."


Elton John: She was untouchable

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They may have had a fractious relationship at points that ended up in their tour being cancelled, but Elton John says he still considers Tina Turner to be "one of the world's most exciting and electric performers."

Sharing a photo of the pair on Instagram, John calls Turner "a total legend on record and on stage."


Ronnie Wood: Tina was the Queen of rock and soul..

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Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has described Tina Turner as "a dear friend to our family" in his tribute.

"God bless you Tina, the Queen Of Rock And Soul and a dear friend to our family," he wrote on Twitter.

"Love and prayers to all of Tina's family, friends and loved ones."


Sir Tom Jones hails 'one-of-a-kind talent'
Tina Turner was "an incredible woman, a genuine singer, a one-of-a-kind talent," writes Sir Tom Jones on Twitter.

The Welsh singer adds that he is "honoured to have known her".


Mel B - Tina Turner gave domestic abuse survivors hope 

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Spice Girl Mel B says she is "truly lost for words" over the singer's death.

Posting on Instagram, the singer says she was watching Tina the Musical with domestic abuse charity Women's Aid the night before Turner's passing.

Like Turner, Mel B has also been a victim of domestic abuse, and campaigns for better education and awareness of the crime.

"I cried, I sang along to every word, every song," she writes on Instagram.

"I celebrated her fight and all her glory, the story of Anna Mae Bullock, who made her life mean something, no matter the pain or the struggle.

"She became such an icon, a legend, suffering two decades of abuse from her then-husband.

"She did the impossible, she left him, she survived, she got away, and gave ALL survivors like me hope - so to hear of her passing right now is beyond devastating to me personally.

"I’m literally at a loss for words right now."


'Shocked' and 'saddened' - Diana Ross

One of Turner's most well-known contemporaries, Diana Ross, has now paid tribute to the singer.

Sharing a picture of her and Turner in black dresses, the singer says she is "shocked" and "saddened" by the news.

"Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones," she tweets.

Actor Barry Newman has died aged 92..(Petrocelli)

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The actor died of natural causes on 11th May at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center, his wife Angela told The Hollywood Reporter.

Newman was a Broadway actor when he landed the lead role of Kowalski in Vanishing Point. Directed by Richard C. Sarafian, the 1971 action movie has been cited by Steven Spielberg as one of his favourite movies.

The Boston-born actor's film resume also included the Sylvester Stallone-starring movie Daylight, Steven Soderbergh's The Limey, The Lawyer, Fear Is the Key, Bowfinger, City on Fire, and 40 Days and 40 Nights.

Newman is also well-known for playing the title character in the 1970s TV show Petrocelli, for which he was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

His other television appearances included L.A. Law, The Fall Guy, Murder, She Wrote, and The O.C.

Newman stepped away from acting after being diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in the late 2000s, however, he appeared in the independent drama Finding Hannah last year.

He is survived by his wife, Angela.

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John Hollins: Former Chelsea player and boss dies aged 76..

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Former Chelsea player and manager John Hollins has died aged 76, the club has announced.

Hollins made almost 600 appearances as a player for the club, scoring 64 times during his two spells at Stamford Bridge between 1963 and 1984.

He was appointed as manager in 1985, a position he held for three years.

"He was a hero to the fans of this club, and very much that to me," Chelsea board member Daniel Finkelstein said.

"He was at the heart of one of Chelsea's greatest teams and, as well as contributing to its trophy success, he expressed its spirit.

"He lifted up the team with his play and lit up the Bridge with his smile. He gave a life of service to this club, as a player, as a manager and as a matchday ambassador. He was greatly loved and will be much missed."

Two-time player of the year winner Hollins, a product of Chelsea's youth system, made his first-team debut at the age of 17.

He lifted the FA Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and League Cup during his first period at the club, leaving in 1975 and returning eight years later to help them earn promotion from the second tier.

Hollins' 592 games place him fifth on Chelsea's all-time appearances list behind John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti.

His playing career also featured time at fellow London clubs Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal

He also went on to manage Swansea City, with whom he won the fourth-tier title in 2000, Rochdale, Raith, Stockport, Crawley and Weymouth.


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Glenda Jackson: Oscar-winning actress and former MP dies aged 87..

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Sir Michael Caine has described actress and former MP Glenda Jackson as "one of our greatest movie actresses" following her death aged 87.

Jackson won two Oscars, three Emmys, two Baftas and an Tony in an acting career which spanned six decades.

Sir Jonathan Pryce said he believed she was "the greatest actor that this country has ever produced".

Jackson gave up acting to join the House of Commons as a Labour MP in north London from 1992 to 2015.

That included two years as a junior transport minister in Tony Blair's New Labour government from 1997.

She later returned to acting, playing King Lear on stage in 2016, then winning a Bafta for her screen comeback in the TV drama Elizabeth Is Missing in 2020.

In a statement on Thursday, her agent Lionel Larner said: "Glenda Jackson, two-time Academy Award-winning actress and politician, died peacefully at her home in Blackheath, London this morning after a brief illness with her family at her side.

"She recently completed filming The Great Escaper in which she co-starred with Michael Caine."

Sir Michael first acted with Jackson in 1975. Following their recent reunion, he said: "It was as wonderful an experience this time as it was 50 years ago. I shall miss her."

Grange Hill and The Bill star George Armstrong dies aged 60 after long illness, those of us of a certain age, Grange Hill was a must see, i followed the 1st 10 years...

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George as Alan Hmuphries

The actor, who played Alan Humphries in the TV show, died on July 11th after a 'long battle with Leukaemia.

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Tony Burton as Albert Humphries, Todd Carty as Peter 'Tucker' Jenkins and George Armstrong as Alan Humphries

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George was part of five series of the show

The actor, was best known for starring as Alan Humphries in the BBC children's drama series, died on Wednesday (12.07.23).

A tweet on a 'Grange Hill' fan account read: "I’ve just heard the very sad news that George Armstrong aka Alan Humphries passed away yesterday. RIP George. A true Grange Hill legend xxxx (sic)"

George starred as Alan from 1978 to 1982 and then reprised his role in the 1983 'Grange Hill' spin-off series 'Tucker's Luck', which featured former 'EastEnders' actor Todd Carty as lead character Peter "Tucker" Jenkins.

One of George's first roles was alongside Bonnie Langford in 1970s show 'Just William', appearing as Hubert Lane.

He also went on to appear as PC Driscoll in 'The Bill' in 1989, but later gave up acting.

George went on to become a Technical Theatre Manager at a public school.

A number of Twitter users have paid tribute to the late star following his passing.

One wrote: "George was the stage manager when I was at Italia Conti. Lovely fella. Sad news"

Another posted: "Sad news. Met him a few years ago. Top chap"

One tweeted: "Can't believe it.... gutted. Todd and the others must be feeling it at this time....an Iconic figure of my childhood. Will be sadly missed and leaves a huge gap in my life. Any ideas as to what cause of death was?"

Another said: "A character from my childhood. Such sad news, thoughts with his family and grange Hill friends."

"Way too soon. One of the great original characters who put the show on the map, as well as helping to light up the spin off Tucker’s Luck. RIP George," another heartbroken fan posted.

One reminisced: "Sad news. Met him, Terry Sue-Patt and Todd Carty when they were filming Grange Hill at a local high school during summer hols. We were so star struck."

Grange Hill was a popular children's television drama series portraying life in a comprehensive school.

The show premiered in 1978 on BBC1 and ran until 2008.

It dealt with typical school issues like bullying as well as hard-hitting storylines such as racism, drugs and teenage pregnancy.

Tony Bennett: Legendary singer dies aged 96..By Paul Glynn, Entertainment reporter.

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Tony Bennett, the legendary New York pop and jazz singer, has died aged 96.

Bennett was known for songs such as The Way You Look Tonight, Body and Soul and (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco.

He also collaborated with star performers from Lady Gaga to Aretha Franklin and Frank Sinatra, who called him "the best singer in the business".

During a career that spanned eight decades, the crooner sold millions of records and won 20 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award.

His death was confirmed by his publicist Sylvia Weiner in a statement to the Associated Press.

She said he died in his hometown of New York. There was no specific cause of death, but Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016.

Singer Paul Young was among those paying tribute on Twitter, writing: "Ahhh, RIP Tony Bennett, truly one of the greats. An incredible singer live, saw him many times.

Actor George Takei posted: "Tony Bennett was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook.

"He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony."

Musician Nile Rogers added: "My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett's family and friends."