FONDEST FAREWELLS 2019
This year saw the passing of many much-loved faces, including the sad news of the December death of TV botanist David Bellamy (right) at the age of 86. Known for his enthusiastic manner, he enthralled viewers in theand . Last month marked the end of another era as photographer Terry O’Neill (far left) died age 81. Sir Elton John was among the many paying tribute, saying: “Terry O’Neill took the most iconic photographs of me throughout the years, completely capturing my moods. He was brilliant, funny and I absolutely loved his company.” As well as Terry, November saw broadcaster Clive James lose his long battle with leukaemia at 80, while chefs around the world mourned the loss of 59-year-old Gary Rhodes (second right). “He was a massive inspiration to me as a young chef,” Jamie Oliver tweeted. “He re-imagined modern British cuisine with elegance and fun. rest in peace Chef.” In September, soap fans paid tribute to former actress Leah Bracknell (left) after her death from lung cancer. She was 55. Elsewhere in the acting world, we said farewell to Bond girl Tania Mallet, who died aged 77 in March, the same month as and actor Luke Perry, who suffered a stroke age 52, while April saw fans grieve for 74-year-old Peter Mayhew, who played the Wookiee Chewbacca. February saw the loss of 89-year-old conductor and composer Sir André Previn, director Stanley Donen, who was 94, and Monkees star Peter Tork, who died shortly after turning 77. Music lovers were mourning again at the end of September, with the passing of 74-year-old soprano Jessye Norman (far right), while Cream co-founder Ginger Baker died a few days later, aged 80. Tributes were also paid to England World Cup star Gordon Banks, who died in February, aged 81, not long after comedian Jeremy Hardy, who died of cancer age 57. Meanwhile, Sir Paul McCartney was among those saying farewell to newsreader Peter Sissons (right), who died in October aged 77. Tweeting his memories of his old schoolfriend, Sir Paul wrote: “He was a talented news presenter with a great sense of humour.”
