Celebrity deaths 2023: The famous faces and notable figures we said goodbye to this

As the year draws to a close, it is a time to commemorate those we have lost in the last 12 months.

Music icons including Tina Turner, Burt Bacharach and Sinead O’Connor are among the famous faces who sadly died in 2023, along with stars of stage and screen such as Raquel Welch, Matthew Perry and Sir Michael Gambon, and sporting legends Sir Bobby Charlton, Terry Venables and Gianluca Vialli.

Other celebrities who died this year include Paul O’Grady and Barry Humphries, along with well known names from the worlds of politics and business, such as Mohamed Al Fayed and Silvio Berlusconi.

As 2023 comes to an end, here’s a look back at the lives and careers of those from the worlds of music, film, TV, fashion, sport, royalty, politics and business who we’ve said goodbye to.

JANUARY

One of the most influential rock singers of the 1960s and 1970s, American singer-songwriter David Crosby co-founded both The Byrds and Crosby, Stills And Nash – later Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of both groups, and also released several records as a solo performer.

Crosby died at the age of 81, following a long illness, with his wife, Jan, saying in tribute: “Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music.”

British rock legend Jeff Beck rose to fame with The Yardbirds and went on to become a solo star who incorporated hard rock, jazz, blues and even opera into his music.

Known for his love of improvising, he won eight Grammy awards and like Crosby was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. In 2022, he released a collaborative album with his friend Johnny Depp, who was one of the many varied performers – including Luciano Pavarotti, Rod Stewart, Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde, Joss Stone, Imelda May and Cyndi Lauper – he worked with over the years.

“I don’t care about the rules,” Beck once said when describing his music style. “In fact, if I don’t break the rules at least 10 times in every song then I’m not doing my job properly.”

He died aged 78 after “suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis”, his family said in a statement, with stars including Kiss’s Gene Simmons, Queen’s Brian May and Rolling Stones stars Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood paying tribute.

Italian football hero Gianluca Vialli was the son of a self-made millionaire, who grew up in a mansion in Lombardy – but money could not buy his natural skill as a footballer.

He was best known in the UK for his time with Chelsea, the club for which he scored 40 goals in 88 games between 1996 and 1999. He then became manager – winning the FA Cup with the club in both roles. Before his move to London he had played for Juventus, who signed him in what was a record deal back in 1992.

Following his death, aged 58, tributes described a hugely skiled footballer – but also a beloved…