So far this year we have lost award-winning actors, chart-topping musicians and legendary sportsmen.

The list of celebrated celebrities who have passed away this year has already become too long.

Here we list some of the greats, the household favourites and national treasures that have been taken from us too soon.

January

Sir John Hurt

The world-famous and legendary actor Sir John Hurt died, aged 77.

He starred in films such as The Elephant Man and Alien in a career that spanned over six decades and had battled with pancreatic cancer in 2015.

More recently the BAFTA-winning star played the wandmaker Mr Ollivander in the Harry Potter series and an incarnation of Doctor Who in a 50th anniversary special of the series in 2013.

He also played Father Richard McSorley in Jackie, the biopic of President John F. Kennedy’s wife.

Sir John is survived by his wife of 12 years, Anwen Rees-Myers.

Gordon Kaye

Rene Artois (Gordon Kaye) seen here on a tandem with Yvette (Vicky Michelle) in the hit BBC Sit Com Allo Allo
Rene Artois (Gordon Kaye) seen here on a tandem with Yvette (Vicky Michelle) in the hit BBC Sit Com Allo Allo

Allo ‘Allo! star Gorden Kaye passed away aged 75 on 23 January in a care home.

The actor - who is best known for his role as Rene Artois in the British TV comedy - left behind an impressive legacy and career.

Mary Tyler Moore

American actress Mary Tyler Moore died on 25 January at the age of 80.

Moore shot to stardom as a suburban housewife in 1960s comedy The Dick Van Dyke Show. She went on to play the role as Mary Richards on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore’ show from 1970 to 1977.

John Wetton

John Wetton, a legend of the pro rock movement, passed away on 31 January at the age of 67 after losing his battle with cancer.

Geoff Nicholls

Former Black Sabbath musician Geoff Nicholls died on 28 January, aged 68, after a battle with lung cancer.

Miguel Ferrer

US actor Miguel Ferrer died on 19 January aged 61 after battling cancer.

The star - a cousin of George Clooney - was most famous for his roles in RoboCop and Twin Peaks.

More recently, he appeared in NCIS: Los Angeles.

Graham Taylor

Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor

Former Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor died of a heart attack on 12 January at the age of 72.

He made his mark as a manager with Watford, and then became a legendary figure at Aston Villa after getting them promoted from the old Division Two to the First Division in the late 1980s.

That success earned him the England job.

But he was criticised in the 1992 European Championships when he substituted Gary Lineker, preventing the player from equalling or passing Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 goals for England.

The gaffe led some sections of the press to compare Taylor to a turnip.

Peter Sarstedt

The celebrated singer and songwriter Peter Sarstedt died aged 75 on 8 January.

The musical artist is best known for his hit song ‘Where do you go to my Lovely?’

The song was a chart topper in the UK in February 1969 and stayed there for four weeks.

February

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

Hundreds of celebrities and the Prince of Wales paid tribute to Tara Palmer Tompkinson who has died aged 45.

The infamous socialite was found dead at her London flat this afternoon, a year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The ‘It’ girl, who once dated Matalan heir Jamie Hargreaves, was well known for her wild partying in the nineties and her battle with cocaine addiction.

Her Godfather Prince Charles led tributes to the star saying he and the Duchess of Cornwall were “deeply saddened, our thoughts are so much with the family”.

Bill Paxton

American actor Bill Paxton - a Hollywood mainstay who was one of the biggest film stars of the 1990s - died aged 61 due to complications from surgery.

The star - best known for his roles in hit films such as Aliens, Apollo 13, Twister and Titanic - died suddenly.

His family announced his death in a statement and described him as a “beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker” whose “illustrious career” spanned four decades.

His family said: “It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery.”

Alan Simpson

Sitcom writing icon Alan Simpson, one half of the much-loved Galton and Simpson duo, died on 8 February at the age of 87.

Richard Hatch

Richard Hatch, the star of the original Battlestar Galactica series, passed away aged 71 on 7th February after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his manger confirmed to Variety.

Hatch played Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar series, which aired from 1978-79, a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a television series - drama.

He also had a role in the 2003 reimagined series, playing Tom Zarek.

March

Chuck Berry

Musical icon Chuck Berry sadly died on March 18 at the age of 90.

The rock n’ roll legend - known as the father of that movement - had been producing music since the 1950s and wrote pioneering tracks such as Johnny B Goode.

His first No.1 came in 1972 with My Ding-a-Ling.

He was the great-grandchild of African-American slaves, and his parents, Martha and Henry Berry, migrated from the South during World War I to St Louis in search of work.

John Forgeham

Best known for his work in Footballers’ Wives, in which he played Frank Laslett, John Forgeham sadly passed away on 11 March, aged 75.

He also had a role in The Italian Job and graduated from the Royal Academy of Drama in 1964.

His friend, the scriptwriter Simon Golding, paid tribute to John, tweeting: “So very sad to hear today the loss of my good friend, actor John Forgeham. A larger-than-life character & such a powerful actor. RIP John x.”

John Surtees

John Surtees, the only man to win the Formula One and motorcycle Grand Prix titles, died on March 10 at the age of 83.

Surtees, who won the F1 title in 1964 to add to his 500cc motorcycle world titles from 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960, “passed away peacefully”.

His wife Jane and daughters Leonora and Edwina were by his side.

April

Ugo Ehiogu

Tottenham Hotspur Under-23 coach Ugo Ehiogu passed away on April 21.

The former England and Aston Villa defender was rushed to hospital after collapsing at Tottenham’s training centre.

The 44-year-old received medical treatment on site before being transferred to hospital by ambulance. But doctors were unable to save him.

Tim Pigott-Smith

Tim Pigott-Smith died at home on April 7, aged 70.

The British actor, best known for his role in the BAFTA-winning The Jewel in the Crown TV series, was described as “one of the greatest actors of his generation” by his agent.

The actor leaves behind his wife, Pamela Miles, and their son Tom.

May

Chris Cornell

Soundgarden and Audioslave rocker Chris Cornell died on May 18, aged 52.

His rep Brian Bumbery called the death “sudden and unexpected” and said his wife and family were shocked.

As the lead singer for Seattle-based Soundgarden, Cornell helped inspire the 90s grunge rock movement.

He was also a Grammy award-winning, Golden Globe-nominated singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer and lyricist.

He later became involved in philanthropy and started the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation to support children facing challenges, including homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect.

Geoffrey Bayldon

Geoffrey Bayldon as Catweazle
Geoffrey Bayldon as Catweazle

British actor Geoffrey Bayldon died on May 10 at the age of 93.

BBC presenter Lizo Mzimba confirmed the news, tweeting: “Sad news. Actor Geoffrey Bayldon, best known for playing Catweazle and Worzel Gummidge’s Crowman has passed away aged 93 his agency has says (sic).”

The Leeds-born actor was the star of many British TV series, including children’s show Catweazle and the BBC’s Watch, in which he played Magic Grandad in 1995.

But it was his role as the Crowman in Worzel Gummidge that put Geoffrey’s name on the map, as the programme ran from 1979 until 1981.

Robert Miles

Trance DJ and producer Robert Miles passed away on May 9 aged 47.

The Swiss-born star, who was most famous for his ‘90s smash-hit Children, died from an unreported illness.

Miles, real-name Robert Concina, scored a number one hit in six countries with his iconic floor-filler before moving on to more experimental sounds; eventually setting up Open Lab (a Balearic radio station).

Roger Moore

Roger Moore
Roger Moore

Sir Roger Moore died aged 89.

“With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated,” a statement on his official Twitter account read.

The statement continued: “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer.

“The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone.”

The London-born star was best known for being the third actor to play the British secret agent James Bond in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985.

Sir Roger also played Simon Templar in The Saint between 1962 and 1969.

John Noakes

John Noakes
John Noakes

Former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes, who hosted the show in 1960s, died at the age of 83.

He was the BBC children’s show’s longest-serving presenter, appearing for more than 12 years, and was often seen with his dog Shep by his side.

A family statement said he had “endured and suffered from” Alzheimer’s disease.

It stated: “Whilst he will be greatly missed by his wife, family and many friends his release from continuing ill health must be counted as a blessing.”

June

Peter Sallis

Peter Sallis was best known for his role in Last Of The Summer Wine until Wallace And Gromit made him an unlikely Hollywood star.

Playing loveable inventor Wallace in Nick Park’s animated films made his voice known around the world.

Wallace And Gromit scooped three Oscars and Sallis was delighted to have such success late in life.

“It is pleasing knowing millions are going to see your work and enjoy it.

“To still be involved in a project like this at my age is heart-warming,” he said.

“To have a legacy like this is very comforting. I am very lucky to have been involved.”

Before Wallace, Sallis was synonymous with Last Of The Summer Wine, Britain’s longest-running sitcom.

It started life as a Comedy Playhouse pilot in 1972 and became a series in 1973.

Sallis was part of the original cast, playing mild-mannered Norman Clegg.

Sallis married an actress, Elaine Usher, in the 1950s and they had a son, Crispian, before divorcing in 1965.

Andy Cunningham

Entertainer Andy Cunningham, who was best known as the creator and star of children’s TV show Bodger And Badger, died at the age of 67 on June 7.

Cunningham played handyman Simon Bodger in the series and voiced his companion, a beret-wearing talking badger with a love for mashed potatoes.

The show first aired in 1989 and continued throughout the Nineties, with Andy’s handyman Bodger becoming a favourite children’s TV character.

He died of cancer at Royal Sussex County Hospital on Monday, his sister Tessa told the Press Association.

She said: “’Andy lived to be loved and to make people laugh - starting with me, his little sister.

for John Hurt “He had a quicksilver brain, a rebellious attitude, boundless compassion particularly for the underdog, unstinting levels of generosity and, of course, a passion for mashed potato.

“I adored him and, long before he found fame, was immensely proud to have the funniest, cleverest big brother in the universe.”

Cunningham was in a long-term relationship with Jane Bassett, who played Mousey in Bodger and Badger.

Adam West

Adam West poses in costume as Batman
Adam West poses in costume as Batman

Adam West, who played Batman in the iconic 60s TV show, passed away on June 10 aged 88 after a short battle with leukaemia.

The actor portrayed the Caped Crusader on the small screen from 1966 to 1968. In later years, West also regularly appeared on animated comedy Family Guy, voicing a fictional version of himself.

More recently, Adam reprised his Batman role in animated movie Return of the Caped Crusaders and video game Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.

Michael Bond

Revered creator of Paddington Bear, Michael Bond passed away at the age of 91 on June 28.

According to his publisher, HarperCollings, Bond died after a short illness.

Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, said: “I feel privileged to have been Michael Bond’s publisher - he was a true gentleman, a bon viveur, the most entertaining company and the most enchanting of writers.

“He will be forever remembered for his creation of the iconic Paddington, with his duffle coat and wellington boots, which touched my own heart as a child and will live on in the hearts of future generations.

“My thoughts and love are with his wife, Sue and his children Karen and Anthony.”

Barry Norman

Barry Norman
Barry Norman

Barry Norman, the famous film critic, died on July 1 at the age of 83.

Norman, who was also known for TV presenting and writing, leaves behind his two daughters, Samantha and Emma.

In a statement they called him “remarkable”, adding: “He had a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career.”

Norman hosted BBC One’s “Film…” show between 1972 and 1998 - its longest running host - as well as writing for the Daily Mail and the Guardian.

July

Carol Lee Scott

Carol Lee Scott as Grotbags
Carol Lee Scott as Grotbags

Carol Lee Scott, best known as her character Grotbags, died on July 4 at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer.

She first appeared as Grotbags the witch in Emu’s World in January 1982, and starred alongside various companions including cowardly crocodile Croc, mechanical butler Robot Redford, and fawning manservant Grovel, and would often sing.

In 1991, she was the voice of Grotbags in the cartoon series Rod ‘n’ Emu, and she was also given her own spin off series of Grotbags - which ran for 29 episodes across three series.

Chester Bennington

Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington
Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington

Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington died on July 20 aged 41, the Los Angeles County Coroner has said.

The 41-year-old Papercut singer was found dead at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles, at about 9 a.m. on Thursday.

Linkin Park were one of the seminal bands of the Noughties rap-metal movement, with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, considered to be a metal masterpiece.

The band were in the middle of a world tour for their latest studio effort, One More Light, and had just wrapped up a European leg.