Celebrity deaths in 2018: Famous faces gone too soon from Dennis Edwards to Dolores O'Riordan
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2017 was a tough year, as we said goodbye to some of our best known and well-loved figures - from Sir Bruce Forsyth and Keith Chegwin to John Hurt and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.
And the losses continued into 2018 with famous names from Dolores O'Riordan to Jon Paul Steuer, and Bella Emberg to Cyrille Regis sadly passing away in January alone.
Here's a look at all of the celebrities we've lost in 2018 so far who have inspired generations.
FEBRUARY
Dennis Edwards
(Image: Getty Images North America)
Dennis Edwards, former lead singer of legendary soul music group The Temptations, died on February 2 aged 74.
The Grammy winner passed away in hospital just one day before his 75th birthday following complications from meningitis. Edwards lent his vocals to the band's biggest hits, including Papa Was a Rollin' Stone and I Can't Get Next To You.
JANUARY
Mark E. Smith
(Image: Redferns)
Mark E. Smith, frontman of avant-garde band The Fall, died on January 24 aged 60.
Smith founded the iconic post-punk group in 1976 after he attended a concert by the Sex Pistols. The musician had been the only constant member of the band, with a line-up that has changed numerous times over its 40-year history.
Jack Ketchum
American actor and horror writer Jack Ketchum died on January 24 at the age of 71 from cancer.
Born Dallas Mayr but working under a pseudonym, Ketchum's novels won him a slew of awards, with many of his books being adapted into films.
As well as a writing career spanning decades, Jack appeared in a handful of films based on his work. He played Teddy Panik in 2006's The Lost, Carnival in 2007's The Girl Next Door and twice as Dallas Mayr in Red and Offspring.
Connie Sawyer
(Image: NBCUniversal)
The American star dubbed Hollywood's hardest working actress, passed away in her retirement home at the age of 105 on January 23.
A glittering career that spanned six decades, she appeared in fan favourites such as ER, Seinfeld and Will & Grace, as well as many more.
She starred alongside the likes of Frank Sinatra, Meg Ryan and Sophie Tucker and got her first film role at the age of 49.
Jimmy Armfield
England football star Jimmy Armfield died on January 22 after a long battle against cancer.
The former Blackpool great - who played 43 times for his country - was 82.
He played 627 games overall between 1954 and 1971, and later managed Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers after retiring from playing.
Howard Lew Lewis
(Image: BBC)
The comedian Howard Lew Lewis died aged 76 on January 20 in Edinburgh, displaying early signs of dementia.
Lewis starred in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, Brush Strokes and Blackadder.
Actors Tony Robinson and Chris Rankin both took to social media to share their sadness at his passing.
Fredo Santana
(Image: Instagram/Fredo Santana)
American rapper Fredo Santana, real name Derrick Coleman, died on January 20 at the age of 27.
The star was a cousin of rapper Chief Keef. His debut album Trappin Ain't Dead was released in 2013 and featured a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar. Fredo also appeared in Drake's video for Hold On, We're Going Home, playing a man who kidnapped Drake's girlfriend.
Simon Shelton Barnes
The actor who played Tinky Winky, the handbag-carrying Teletubbie in the BBC children’s series, died on January 17, just four days after his 52nd birthday.
The uncle of Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack once said that being in the Teletubbies was “a bit like the Beatles or Take That of television”.
As well as his work on Teletubbies, Simon played the terrifying Dark Knight in the 1990s CBBC show Incredible Games.
Jessica Falkholt
(Image: piamiller/Instagram)
Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt died on January 17 aged 29. Her death came three weeks after the devastating Boxing Day crash which killed her family.
The Home and Away actress died six days after her life support was withdrawn.
The close-knit Falkholt family were thought to be driving home to Sydney along the Princes Highway after a short festive break when their car was involved in the devastating head-on collsion.
Jessica appeared as Hope Morrison in the Aussie soap Home and Away in 2016.
The up and coming actress also starred in the upcoming supernatural thriller Harmony, set to be released in 2018.
Moya O'Sullivan
(Image: Network 10)
Neighbours star Moya O'Sullivan died aged 91 on January 16.
Best known for playing Marlene Kratz, she was dubbed 'Australia's favourite mum and grandmother'.
A popular figure, a tribute in The Sydney Morning Herald read: "Much loved by all, especially by her brother Peter, sister-in-law Kaaren, aunt to Mark, Cait and Bridget, great aunt to Phoebe and Ursela, grandmother to Harriet and James.
"Also Andrew and Sarah. Bless her eternal soul."
Ed Doolan
(Image: Publicity picture)
Legendary BBC radio presenter Ed Doolan died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of January 16. The star had been battling vascular dementia since 2013.
Ed started his career in radio at BRMB (now Free Radio Birmingham) in 1974 before moving to BBC West Midlands in 1982.
He was awarded the MBE for services to broadcasting and charity and was also the recipient of a Sony Gold Award.
Peter Wyngarde
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Actor Peter Wyngarde died on January 15 at the age of 90
The star was best known for his role as sleuth Jason King in Department S and its spin-off Jason King.
He also starred in the 1980 Flash Gordon movie as metal-masked villain General Klytus.
Peter also starred in the very first British gay drama, South, which aired on ITV in 1959 and was met with a backlash of furious homophobic abuse from the public and media at the time.
Dolores O'Riordan
Cranberries star Dolores O'Riordan died on January 15 aged 46.
As the lead singer of Irish rock band The Cranberries, she rose to international fame in the 1990s with their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
She also released two solo albums, and appeared as a judge on the Irish version of reality singing competition show The Voice.
Cyrille Regis
(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography)
West Brom and Coventry legend Cyrille Regis died on January 14 aged 59 after suffering a heart attack.
The former striker was a pioneer for black footballers in the late 1970s. Regis won five caps for England and was awarded an MBE in 2008.
Cyrille Regis in his own words: Late football star on racism, his England debut and life as the underdog
Hugh Wilson
(Image: Copyright (c) 2014 Shutterstock. No use without permission.)
Hugh Wilson died on January 14 at the age of 74.
The director was well known for making films such as Police Academy and The First Wives Club.
He also created the acclaimed sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and won awards for his work, including an Emmy in 1988 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.
Keith Jackson
(Image: Getty Images North America)
Keith Jackson, the voice of American college football, died on January 12 aged 89.
The legendary broadcaster spent 56 years covering the sport before his final game in 2006.
Jackson served on American channel ABC Sports, and became synonymous with his trademark line "Whoa, Nellie."
Bella Emberg
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Blunderwoman comedy star Bella Emberg died on January 12 at the age of 80.
She found fame in the 1980s, most notably alongside Russ Abbot, with whom she shared a comedy partnership.
Emberg also starred in TV shows as diverse as The Lily Savage Show and Doctor Who.
Last summer she spoke exclusively to the Daily Mirror about her career in a fascinating interview.
Doreen Tracey
(Image: Getty)
Doreen Tracey, one of the original Disney Mouseketeers, died on January 10 at the age of 74.
The performer had battled cancer for two years, but sadly developed pneumonia as a complication.
At the age of 12, Doreen became one of the child stars of The Mickey Mouse Club, the popular TV show which aired between 1955 and 1959.
Eddie Clarke
(Image: Redferns)
Heavy metal star 'Fast' Eddie Clarke died on January 10 aged 67 following a battle with pneumonia.
Guitarist Clarke was one of the founding members of Motorhead and the last surviving member of the band's original line-up.
Tommy Lawrence
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence died on January 9 aged 77.
Known as "The Flying Pig" by Reds fans, the Scot made 390 appearances for the Reds over 14 years in the first team.
Lawrence hit the headlines in 2015 when he was stopped by a reporter in the street and asked for his memories of the 1967 derby match between Liverpool and Everton, with the interviewer unaware that he had played in that very match.
Jerry Van Dyke
(Image: Getty)
Comedian Jerry Van Dyke died on January 5 at the age of 86.
Jerry made his television debut on The Dick Van Dyke show, later appearing on The Judy Garland Show and Coach, with his final TV role being for The Middle in 2015.
He is survived by his wife Shirley, three children, and older brother Dick Van Dyke.
John Young
(Image: SSPL via Getty Images)
Astronaut John Young, the ninth man to walk on the Moon, died on January 5 aged 87.
The former U.S Navy Test pilot became one of only 12 people ever to set foot on the surface of the Moon on a mission in 1972.
Young is one of the most accomplished astronauts in the history of the US space program.
He flew into space twice as part of the mid-1960s Gemini program, twice on the Apollo lunar missions and twice on space shuttles in the 1980s.
Jon Paul Steuer
(Image: trekonlinegame/Twitter)
Star Trek actor Jon Paul Steuer died on January 1 aged 33.
With an acting career that began at the age of 3, Steur eventually landed the role of Alexander Rozhenko, son of Lieutenant Worf, on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1990.
Later on, he starred in TV series Grace Under Fire as Quentin Kelly
Steur went on to become a musician and restaurateur under the name Jonny P Jewels.