Celebrity deaths 2023: All the stars who have died this year trends now

Celebrity deaths 2023: All the stars who have died this year trends now
Celebrity deaths 2023: All the stars who have died this year trends now

Celebrity deaths 2023: All the stars who have died this year trends now

With the announcement of Paul O'Grady's 'unexpected but peaceful' death late on Tuesday, 2023 has claimed another much-loved celebrity.

Paul O'Grady, who shot to fame as trailblazing comic drag act Lily Savage before becoming one of the country's best-loved TV presenters and DJs, was aged 67.

O'Grady became a household name in the early noughties, known for his wit and love of animals, and hosted a string of television programmes including his self-titled daytime chat show, The Paul O'Grady Show, which began airing in 2004.

Andre Portasio, who married O'Grady in 2017, paid tribute to his 'humour, wit and compassion' in a statement announcing his death released just before 3am. 

O'Grady is the latest celebrity to have passed away, following Mystic Meg, Steve Mackey and Lisa Marie Presley.

Paul O'Grady died late on Tuesday, a statement from his husband Andre Portasio revealed overnight

He shot to fame as his drag persona Lily Savage before becoming a household name in the 2000s

He shot to fame as his drag persona Lily Savage before becoming a household name in the 2000s

Here is the full list of celebrities who have tragically died so far this year: 

Paul O'Grady, 67 – March 29

O'Grady's death was announced by his husband Andre Portasio at around 3am on Wednesday morning.

His cause of death was not immediately clear, but he had been open with his health battles in the past and spoken about surviving three heart attacks and kidney failure.

O'Grady shot to fame through his drag persona Lily Savage as he rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s.

He was an outspoken member of the LGBT+ community and advocated for LGBT rights.

Tributes have flooded in this morning to the 'diamond' TV presenter and comedian. 

Lance Reddick, 60 – March 17

Lance Reddick famously played Cedric Daniels in HBO series The Wire

Lance Reddick famously played Cedric Daniels in HBO series The Wire

Earlier this month The Wire star Lance Reddick died aged 60 - just days after failing to turn up to a premiere in New York.

Reddick - who played Cedric Daniels in the hit crime series - died 'suddenly' from 'natural causes,' his agent Mia Hansen said.

Days before his death he was due to attend a premiere for Wick 4 alongside co-star Keanu Reaves but failed to turn up. Reddick did not explain his absence. 

Reddick will be best remembered for his role as Daniels on the hit HBO crime series, appearing in all 60 episodes alongside stars including Dominic West and Idris Elba.

He also had recurring roles in hit TV shows Fringe, Oz, Bosch, and Lost and was the voice of Commander Zavala in the Destiny video games. 

Jacqueline Gold, 62 – March 17 

Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold died following a seven-year battle with cancer

Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold died following a seven-year battle with cancer

Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold died surrounded by close family on the same day as Lance Reddick.

The 62-year-old was described as a 'trailblazer and the most incredible woman' by her sister Vanessa, after the former CEO died from breast cancer.

Her sister said: 'Jacqueline courageously battled stage 4 breast cancer for seven years and was an absolute warrior throughout her cancer journey. In life she was a trailblazer, a visionary, and the most incredible woman, all of which makes this news that much harder to bear.'

Her famous father, the co-chairman of West Ham United, rose from abject East End poverty to a £500million fortune, died after a short illness on January 4 aged 86. 

He handed Jacqueline Ann Summers and its four stores to Jacqueline in 1981 - today it has 80 stores and annual sales of £113.8million. 

Mystic Meg, 80 – March 9

Mystic Meg shot to fame through her weekly National Lottery predictions

Mystic Meg shot to fame through her weekly National Lottery predictions

Britain's most famous astrologer Mystic Meg passed away at the age of 80, after a 30-year career writing horoscopes and predicting Lottery numbers for the nation.

The iconic astrologer, who shot to fame with her weekly National Lottery predictions, was admitted to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, last month to be treated for flu.

Tributes have poured in for the star, real name Margaret Lake, who lived alone with her seven cats in a three-bedroom flat in Notting Hill.

Meg never married after the 'love of her life' and heir to the Littlewoods football pools empire, Nigel Moores, was killed in a car crash in the south of France in 1977.

She became a household name when she began starring on the National Lottery TV show every Saturday from 1994, emerging from a cloud of smoke and using a crystal ball - left to her by her grandmother - to predict who would win the jackpot. 

Steve Mackey, 56 – March 2 

Steve Mackey was Pulp's bassist and had hidden a three-month battle with his health prior to his death

Steve Mackey was Pulp's bassist and had hidden a three-month battle with his health prior to his death

Pulp bassist Steve Mackey died aged 56 this month after spending the last three months 'fighting with all his strength and determination' in hospital.

The musician's passing was announced by the band as his heartbroken wife Katie Grand revealed he had secretly been battling with his health.

The news has come as a shock to fans, five months after Steve revealed he wouldn't be taking part in Pulp's reunion.

Steve married his longtime girlfriend, Katie, in 2009 and welcomed son Marley in 1996.

The band shared a touching tribute to the musician, saying: 'Safe travels, Steve. We hope to catch up with you one day. All our love.'

Baroness Betty Boothroyd, 93 – February 27

Betty Boothroyd became the first-ever female Commons Speaker in 1992

Betty Boothroyd became the first-ever female Commons Speaker in 1992

The first ever female Commons Speaker, Betty Boothroyd, died at the end of February at the age of 93.

Baroness Boothroyd gained respect from both sides of the House for her charm and 'no-nonsense' style in the chair from 1992 to 2000.

The trailblazer, a former professional dancer with the Tiller Girls, was an MP for 27 years and went on to sit in the Lords for Labour for a further two decades.

Flags flew at half mast in Westminster following the news and MPs took part in a minute's silence in the Commons at the start of business after her death.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the passing of 'a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to politics', while Theresa May praised her 'inimitable style, but also her immense personal warmth and kindness'.

John Motson, 77 – February 23 

Generations of children imagined John Motson, or Motty, commentating their own football matches around the UK

Generations of children imagined John Motson, or Motty, commentating their own football matches around the UK

John Motson - the voice of British

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