All the tragic celebrity deaths that happened this year
We lost a lot of notable figures in 2022, from music icons to film and TV stars.
Here's a brief look back on just some of the celebrities we lost this year, and the legacies they left behind.
Meat Loaf
In January, we lost rock legend Meat Loaf - real name Michael Lee Aday.
The singer was known for hit records like 'I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)' and 'Bat Out Of Hell', and appearances in films like Fight Club, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Spice World.
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Meatloaf died aged 74 with his wife Deborah by his side, after years of speaking openly about his health struggles.
Barry Cryer
Comedy star Barry Cryer died in the same month, aged 86.
Cryer was known for his work with British stars like Spike Milligan, John Cleese, and Morecambe and Wise.
Barry's family confirmed that he died 'peacefully, in good spirits with his family around him'.
Bob Saget
Fellow comedian Bob Saget also sadly passed away on 9 January.
The 65-year-old was found dead in his hotel room in Orlando after suffering a blow to the head.
He was best known for starring in the sitcom Full House, as well as playing the narrator in How I Met Your Mother.
Saget had just embarked on a tour of the US prior to his death, performing the night before in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jamal Edwards
In February, the UK music industry was rocked by the death of Jamal Edwards, who died at home aged 31 after taking 'recreational drugs'.
The YouTuber, son of Brenda Edwards, and founder of SBTV was responsible for helping launch the careers of some of the UK's biggest stars, including Dave and Ed Sheeran.
Stars like Ed, Dave, Rita Ora, AJ Tracey, and Young Filly were just some of the stars who were left devastated by Jamal's passing.
Shane Warne
In March, Australian cricket legend Shane Warne was found dead in his villa in Thailand after a suspected heart attack.
The sports star's management later confirmed in a statement that despite 'the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived.'
Warne earned a reputation as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, having taken 708 Test match wickets and 293 One-Day International wickets. In 1999, Warne helped Australia win the Cricket World Cup.
Taylor Hawkins
Later that same month, Foo Fighter drummer Taylor Hawkins tragically passed away aged 50.
The band had been on tour in South America when Taylor died suddenly.
To mark the legendary drummer's death, the Foo Fighters played two tribute concerts in London and Los Angeles, raising money for charity.
Tom Parker
The month of March also marked the death of The Wanted singer Tom Parker, who had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in 2020.
Tom spoke openly about his diagnosis and treatments, and even reunited with his bandmates earlier this year for their first show in seven years.
The singer eventually died aged 33, and was survived by his wife Kelsey and their two children Aurelia Rose and Bodhi.
Ray Liotta
Actor Ray Liotta passed away at the age of 67 in May.
Liotta was on set in the Dominican Republic shooting the movie Dangerous Waters when he is said to have passed away in his sleep.
Liotta has become best known for playing the character of Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, however he also starred in Field of Dreams and Cop Land.
In more recent years, Liotta took to the screen in Marriage Story (2019), No Sudden Move (2021) and The Many Saints of Newark (2021).
Andrew Fletcher
Musician Andrew Fletcher died at the age of 60 in May.
The keyboardist was a founding member of the electronic band Depeche Mode, alongside Vince Clarke, Martin Gore and singer Dave Gahan.
Following the tragic news of his death, it was later revealed that he had suffered a tear in a main artery from his heart.
His family said that they had marked his passing with a “celebration of Andy’s life … a beautiful ceremony and gathering with a few tears, but filled with the great memories of who Andy was, stories of all of our times together, and some good laughs".
Dame Deborah James
Podcaster and bowel cancer activist Dame Deborah James has died in June, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2016.
Her work to increase awareness of bowel cancer, along with the incredible feat of raising more than £6 million for charity through her BowelBabe Fund, led to her being recognised with a damehood earlier this year.
Just before her death, James made the decision to switch to end-of-life care at home.
In her final weeks, Deborah raised £7 million, surpassing the £250,000 goal listed on the page, towards cancer research.
Olivia Newton-John
Grease star Olivia Newton-John sadly passed away in August of this year, after a 30-year battle with breast cancer.
The British-Australian actor and singer had been diagnosed with cancer three different times over the course of her exceptional career, and became a prominent campaigner.
Olivia won four Grammy Awards, scored five number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, represented the UK in the Eurovision song contest, and sold over 100 million records.
Anne Heche
In the same month, actor Anne Heche died aged 53 after she was critically injured in a tragic car crash in California.
Anne fell into a coma after crashing her car into a Los Angeles home, and was kept on life support for a short time before she was declared legally dead.
Heche shot to fame playing twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love on soap opera Another World, for which she won an Emmy in 1991.
She followed that up with major roles in Donnie Brasco, Six Days, Seven Nights and I Know What You Did Last Summer
The actor also starred in the 1998 remake of Psycho, for which she was nominated for a Saturn Award, while she was later nominated for another Emmy for her role in Gracie's Choice.
Queen Elizabeth II
In September, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at age 96.
Having ascended to the throne in 1952 aged just 27, Elizabeth was the longest reigning British monarch, as well as the longest-serving female head of state ever.
Earlier this year, she had marked reached 70 years on the throne and became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
She was succeeded by her eldest son Charles, who is now King Charles III.
Coolio
Rapper Coolio also passed away in September, aged 59.
The Grammy winner, - real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr - died from a suspected cardiac arrest.
The musician was best known for his 1995 hit song 'Gansta's Paradise'.
The hit became one of the most iconic and popular rap songs of all time.
It topped the charts in 1995 for weeks and ended up becoming the number one single for that year, and won a him a Grammy in 1996 for best rap solo performance.
Dame Angela Lansbury
Murder, She Wrote star Angela Lansbury died 'peacefully in her sleep in her home in Los Angeles' in October at age 96.
A statement from her family confirmed the news, adding that she was just 'five days she of her 97th birthday'.
You may also recognise Angela as the voice of the beloved Mrs Pott in the 1991 Disney flick Beauty and the Beast, as well as Nellie Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the dreaded Aunt Adelaide in Nanny McPhee.
Angela was inducted into the TV Hall of Fame in 1996, has won five Tony Awards, and an honorary Oscar.
Robbie Coltrane
Later in October, actor Robbie Coltrane died aged 72.
The star, who was best known for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film franchise, had an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends and co-workers following the news of his death.
The actor was always extremely open about battling with osteoarthritis, a condition which causes joints to become painful and stiff.
He had been suffering with the condition, which is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, for many years. But rumours did not begin to circulate about his health until 2019, when he was pictured in a wheelchair.
Jerry Lee Lewis
Rock 'n' roll musician Jerry Lee Lewis passed away in his Tennessee home in October, aged 87.
The pianist is best known for his hit song 'Great Balls of Fire', which proved to be a monster hit in the late 50s.
Paying tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, the Country Music Association tweeted: “It is with great sadness we’ve learned about the passing of Jerry Lee Lewis, who was just inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this month.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Christine McVee
Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie sadly passed away in November of this year, after a short illness. The singer was 79.
During her time in the band, they sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful groups ever.
Their best-known songs include 'Dreams', 'Go Your Own Way' and 'Everywhere'.
Singer-songwriter and keyboardist McVie penned 'Songbird', one of the band's most famous tracks, as well as 'You Make Loving Fun', 'Oh Daddy' and 'Little Lies'.
Her death came just two years after Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green died at the age of 73.
Aaron Carter
Singer and former teen heartthrob Aaron Carter also passed away in November.
He was found dead in his California home on 5 November.
Aaron, who was the younger brother of Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter, started releasing music at age 7 and released his debut album at age 9.
He went on to appear on Nickelodeon and tour with the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, including a famous appearance on Lizzie McGuire, before taking a break from releasing studio albums for 16 years.
His death left fans shocked and heartbroken, with many paying tribute to the star who had a significant impact on pre-teen and teenage culture in the early 21st century.
Takeoff
American rapper Takeoff, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, was shot and killed in November at the age of 28 at an event in Houston, Texas.
The musician, who was a member of Migos, left the rap industry devastated by his passing.
The family trio launched in 2008 and put themselves on the hip hop hall of fame with the release of the song 'Versace' in 2013.
They also released the hit songs 'Bad & Boujee' , 'MotorSport' with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, and 'Bon Appetit' with Katy Perry.
Kirstie Alley
Actor Kirstie Alley passed away in December aged 71, after a battle with cancer.
Alley became a household name in the mid-'80s when she first appeared as Rebecca Howe on the iconic sitcom Cheers.
She earned a Golden Globe in 1991 for Best Actress and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for the role.
tWitch
Dancer and DJ tWitch, who was best known for his appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show sadly took his own life earlier this month at just 40 years old.
The star, whose real name was Stephen Boss, rose to fame back in 2008 when he earned himself the position of runner-up on So You Think You Can Dance season 4.
He is survived by his wife Allison Holker, 34, and their three children, Weslie Fowler, Maddox Laurel and Zaia.
Terry Hall
Lead singer of The Specials Terry Hall died on 18 December.
According to his friend, the 63-year-old died from pancreatic cancer.
He and his fellow bandmates were set to record a new album when Hall revealed that he wasn't feeling very well and had to postpone the recording.
Sadly, however, his condition didn't improve and the singer was later diagnosed with cancer.
Maxi Jazz
It was announced that singer Maxi Jazz had died on 23 December, aged 65.
Best known for being the lead vocalist in genre-crossing band Faithless, who enjoyed hits like 'God is a DJ', 'Insomnia' and 'We Come 1'.
The band said: "We are heartbroken to say Maxi Jazz died last night. He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways.
"He was a lovely human being with time for everyone and a wisdom that was both profound and accessible. It was an honour and, of course, a true pleasure to work with him."
Ali Condon