A lot of people will remember where they were when the so-called chameleon of rock’s death was announced in the early hours of 11 January, with a statement confirming he had been privately battling liver cancer following a diagnosis 18 months earlier.
The sense of shock not only in the UK, but across the world, was palpable, but the weeks and months to follow were just as relentless when it came to high-profile celebrity deaths.
After Bowie’s passing, it was rare that a week passed without a significant celebrity death being announced. Just one week after the 69-year-old died, actor Alan Rickman passed away, quickly followed by Victoria Wood and then Prince.
We lost so many famous faces in 2016 that the The New Yorker even published a cartoon depicting an angel telling death: ‘Maybe cool it on the beloved celebrities for a bit.’
10 years later, we take a look back at the year we lost so many icons and how they were remembered after their loss.
David Bowie
On January 10, the world lost one of the most influential artists of all time as David Bowie’s death was confirmed.
The Space Oddity star had hidden his liver cancer from all but a select few before his death and underwent chemotherapy before recording his final album, Blackstar.
His friend and fellow musician Iggy Pop said in a statement: ‘David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is.’
While Madonna wrote: ‘I’m devastated. David Bowie changed the course of my life forever.’
Prince
Music icon Prince died in 2016 at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota at the age of 57 after an accidental fentanyl overdose, leaving fans devastated over the tragic circumstances surrounding his passing.
The singer was known for being one of the most influential musicians of all time, with a career spanning three decades.
In Prince’s case, no one was criminally charged with his death, though a doctor did agree to a settlement for federal civil charges due to an illegal prescription.
Alan Rickman
Harry Potter and Die Hard actor Alan Rickman died on January 14 at the age of 69 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer six months earlier.
Tributes flooded in for the actor after his family shared a statement confirming the news, with Daniel Radcliffe writing: ‘Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalist and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry.
‘He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter.’
Long-time friend and co-star Emma Thompson wrote: ‘Alan was my friend and so this is hard to write because I have just kissed him goodbye.’
Muhammad Ali
Boxing legend and one of the world’s greatest sporting figures Muhammad Ali died at the age of 74 on June 4.
The former world heavyweight champion passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, having been admitted to hospital after suffering from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson’s disease.
Celebrities and politicians paid tributes to the heavyweight great, remembering him as ‘courageous’ and ‘inspiring’.
Victoria Wood
Comedian and actress Victoria Wood died from cancer on April 20 2016 at the age of 62, her publicist confirmed.
In a statement her older brother Chris said her death ‘has robbed us of one of the brightest talents of our generation.’
Her comedy partner Julie Walters described her loss as ‘incalculable’.
Other stars we lost in 2016
- Pete Burns
- Leonard Cohen
- Harper Lee
- Chyna
- Dame Zaha Hadid
- Ronnie Corbett
- Kimbo Slice
- Caroline Aherne
- Sir Jimmy Young
- Alexis Arquette
- AA Gill
- Frank Sinatra Jr
- Zsa Zsa Gabor
- Andrew Sachs
- Anton Yelchin
- Paul Daniels
- Denise Robertson
Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher died at the age of 60 four days after going into cardiac arrest on a flight from London to Los Angeles.
Tragically, Fisher’s mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, died from a stroke just one day later on December 28 at the age of 84.
Her son Todd said she had been thinking of Fisher in her final moments, saying: ‘I miss her so much, I want to be with Carrie.’
Gene Wilder
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory star Gene Wilder died at the age of 83 on September 1 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
The actor appeared in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein.
‘It is almost unbearable for us to contemplate our life without him,’ his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said.
George Michael
Christmas Day 2016 was a day many people will remember after the death of singer George Michael was announced that evening.
The Careless Whisper star passed away at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, at the age of 53 as a result of heart and liver disease.
Madonna, Elton John, Paul McCartney were just some of the stars to pay tribute to the singer, with his Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley saying he was ‘cleft with grief’.
Sir Terry Wogan
TV and radio icon Sir Terry Wogan died on 31 January at the age of 77 after a ‘brave battle’ with cancer.
Renowned for his work on Radio 2’s breakfast show as well as Children In Need, Sir Terry was remembered as ‘one of the greatest broadcasters the UK has ever seen’.
David Gest
Entertainer David Gest was found dead in his London hotel aged 62 on April 12.
Gest, who was a former husband of singer Liza Minnelli, was best known in the UK for his appearances on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Celebrity Big Brother.
He had planned to tour the UK that July with his latest show, called the David Gest Is Not Dead But Alive With Soul Tour!, with the tour being named after the mix-up on Celebrity Big Brother, when Angie Bowie informed Tiffany Pollard that her ex-husband David Bowie had died during their time on the reality show.
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