Legendary rock singer David Roach has died at the age of 59. The star, who co-founded the rock band Junkyard in 1987, passed away after a battle with skin cancer just a fortnight after getting married. He had suffered from an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma that affected his head, neck and throat, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser. In a statement shared on social media by the band, it said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Roach. 'After a courageous battle with cancer, David passed away peacefully last night at home, in the loving arms of his wife. 'He was a gifted artist, performer, songwriter, and singer—but above all, a devoted father, husband, and brother. Our thoughts are with the entire Roach family and everyone who loved him. - Junkyard.'
James Whale has passed away at the age of 74 following a battle with kidney cancer. His wife Nadine confirmed the news on Monday, telling the Express: 'James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing and he left with a smile on his face.' James' Talk TV producer also paid tribute, sharing on Instagram: 'My friend James Whale has died, and the world's a lot quieter without him He faced the end with courage and wit. Broadcasting has lot a giant. I've lost a mate. Au revoir Whaley, I'll miss you.' Mere hours before James' death was announced, the broadcaster's final column was published, in which he revealed he was 'happy to go now and feels at peace' after moving into a hospice. Writing for the Daily Express, James revealed he was in a 'positive' headspace as he praised the doctors and nurses at The Heart of Kent Hospice.
Dame Stella Rimington, the first female director general of MI5, has died aged 90. Described as the “housewife superspy” when she came into the role, she was widely credited as the model for Dame Judi Dench’s M in the James Bond films. She was born on 13 May 1935 in South Norwood in London and died on Sunday night. Her family said in a statement that she died “surrounded by her beloved family and dogs and determinedly held on to the life she loved until her last breath”.
Terry Reid 75. Turned down the change to join Led Zep and Deep Purple as vocalist. Great guitar player backed many bands.
Really sad! I first became aware of him from the Glastonbury documentary which showed some of the performances from 1971. Terry Reid looked cool as hell and Linda Lewis was on backing vocals. No wonder he was known as "Superlungs" and that Jimmy Page wanted him for Led Zep.
Jorge Costa Former captain of Porto and Portugal international. Aged 53 Passed away from a cardiac arrest at the club's training ground. RIP
Norman Eshley who starred in beloved British sitcom George And Mildred has died aged 80. The actor and writer, who had been living with cancer, died on August 2 at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with his wife Rachel by his side, his agent Thomas Bowington confirmed. The star was best known for playing snobby neighbour Jeffrey in the hit 1970s series, featuring opposite Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce.
Apparently passed in July but... Jock McDonald of Bollock Brothers and 4 be 2 fame. Swimming pool accident. RIP
Coronation Street and Mrs Brown's Boys star Frank Grimes has died aged 78 following after a short illness. It's thought that the Tony Award nominee passed away on Friday August 1, surrounded by his family. The Irish Cultural Centre in London announced his death in a heartfelt statement, declaring Grimes as 'one of Ireland's greatest actors.' In a tribute, they said he was 'so warm hearted, full of Dublin wit and charm in abundance and he had a beautiful sparkle in his eyes. 'We know that Ireland has lost one of it's truly great actors, the vintage of which is so rare and may never ever be matched again. 'We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him and seen him perform.;
Suleiman al-Obeid, the “Palestinian Pele” Attacked & killed, along with other civilians, waiting for humanitarian aid according to the PFA. RIP
TV actor Ray Brooks, who starred in some of the UK's best-known programmes in a career spanning five decades, has died aged 86. Brooks narrated the classic 1970s children's show Mr Benn and played the male lead in the ground-breaking 1960s BBC drama Cathy Come Home. He also starred in primetime 1980s programmes Big Deal, in which he played loveable rogue gambler Robbie Box, and Running Wild, as the comic lead Max Wild. Brooks also became one of few actors to appear in both Coronation Street and EastEnders. He played Norman Philips in the ITV soap in the 1960s, and arrived in Albert Square 40 years later to portray Joe Macer, who infamously murdered his wife Pauline Fowler. He died on Saturday after a short illness, his family told the BBC. In a statement, the actor's sons Will and Tom said their dad thought he was best known for Mr Benn, "with people continually asking him to say the catchphrase 'as if by magic!'". The cartoon followed Mr Benn who, through dressing up in a magical costume shop, found himself in a new adventure every episode. Brooks's sons added: "Although only 13 episodes were made, they were repeated twice a year for 21 years." The list of TV shows in which Brooks appeared in the 1960s and 1970s reads like a run-down of the British small screen's biggest hits of the era. They included roles in Danger Man, Dixon of Dock Green, Emergency-Ward 10, The Avengers, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Z Cars. He also had a number of film successes, including in the 1965 film The Knack... and How to Get It, which won the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He played Georgio, the waiter in the crumbling hotel, in Carry On Abroad in 1972, and also appeared in the 1966 Dr Who movie Daleks' Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. Brooks also enjoyed appearances in the theatre, including Alan Ayckbourn's Absent Friends alongside Richard Briers, Peter Bowles and Phyllida Law. He also starred opposite Felicity Kendal in Tom Stoppard's On The Razzle. His most acclaimed role came early in his career when he played Reg in the gritty BBC TV play Cathy Come Home, which chronicled Britain's housing shortage in the late 1960s. Directed by Ken Loach and filmed in a documentary style, it followed a young couple's struggle with homelessness. It is regularly cited as one of the most influential TV broadcasts of all time. But arguably Brooks's biggest mainstream successes came in the 1980s, with two successive primetime leading roles. In Big Deal, his character Robbie Box seeks to make a living playing poker and betting on horses and dogs - while trying to keep his relationship together with his partner Jan, played by Sharon Duce. The fast-talking Londoner became one of TV's best-loved working-class characters in an era of Del Boy Trotter and Arthur Daley
