The celebrities and public figures we've lost in 2025
9 June 2025, 22:04
Radio X remembers the musicians, celebrities and other notable figures that have passed away in 2025 so far.
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The year is barely underway, but it's already dealt huge losses across the world of music, entertainment and politics.
Let's take a moment to reflect on and pay tribute to the stars and notable figures who have died in 2025.
Please note: This list is not exhaustive.
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June 2025
Sly Stone
The pioneering funk and soul legend died on 9th June 2025, aged 82, after a lengthy health battle, surrounded by his loved ones. “After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend and his extended family,” a family statement read. “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.”
May 2025
Alan Yentob
The TV executive and presenter of arts series Imagine died on 24th May aged 78. Yentob held the position of controller of BBC-2 - introducing such shows as Have I Got News For You and Absolutely Fabulous and controller of BBC-1, where he commissioned Middlemarch, Pride & Prejudice and Ballykissangel, among many others. He was also chairman of the board of trustees of the charity Kids Company from 2003 until it collapsed in 2015.
George Wendt
The Chicago born actor, best known for his role as Norm in the TV sitcom Cheers died on 20th May, aged 76. Wendt also appeared in the films Airplane II, Fletch, House and Spice World.
April 2025
Mike Peters
The Alarm frontman died after a long battle with blood cancer on 29th April 2025. The 66-year-old Welsh musician was diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia more than 30 uears ago, and in October last year, Peters found out he had Richter syndrome – an aggressive form of lymphoma. The Alarm officially formed in 1981 in Rhyl, and their debut album Declaration from February 1984 was their biggest hit in the UK, spawning the singles 68 Guns and Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke? The band's other hits include Rain In The Summertime and Spirit Of '76.
Philip Lowrie
The Ashton-under-Lyne born actor, best known for his recurring role as Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street, died on 25th April 2025, aged 88.
Pope Francis
The former Jorge Mario Bergoglio took over the role as head of the Catholic church in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He died on 21st April 2025, aged 88, a day after giving his final Easter Sunday address at the Vatican. The Pope had been suffering from a respiratory illness since February. The papal funeral took place five days later and he was interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Jean Marsh
The British actor and writer died on 13th April, aged 90. She was best known for co-creating and starring in the ITV drama series Upstairs Downstairs, which ran between 1971 and 1975. Marsh later co-created the BBC series The House Of Elliott and her long and varied career saw her work with Alfred Hitchcock on his 1972 film Frenzy, and appear in TV shows like Doctor Who (on three separate occasions), The Twilight Zone, The Saint, Play For Today, The Waltons and Hawaii-Five-O, while taking roles in films as diverse as Cleopatra (1963), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), Return To Oz (1985) and Willow (1988). She was briefly married to former Doctor Who and Worzel Gummidge star Jon Pertwee in the late 1950s. Her friend, the director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, paid tribute to Marsh, calling her "wise and funny... very pretty and kind, and talented both as an actress and writer".
Clem Burke
Blondie drummer Clem Burke died on 6th April, aged 70, after losing his battle with cancer. Founding members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein shared the news in a statement, where they described him as the "heartbeat of Blondie". Taking to social media, the duo said: "IClem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable. Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie."
Dave Allen
The bassist of the legendary post-punk band, Gang of Four died at the age of 69. The news was confirmed on Sunday 6th April by drummer Hugo Burnham, who revealed that Allen had been battling early onset dementia for several years. "It is with broken yet full hearts that we share the news that Dave Allen, our old music partner, friend, and brilliant musician, died on Saturday morning. He was at home with his family," said Burnham. "We’ve been so very lucky to have had the Ace of Bass in our lives."
John Saint Ryan
The Coronation Street star died, aged 72, on 3rd April 2025. from a heart attack. His wife Joyce announced on Facebook: "I and our family want to let our friends know that John had a heart attack the evening of Thursday 3rd of April. We were with him at the hospital where the staff did everything possible but unfortunately he did not survive. We are absolutely heart broken. John wanted to aid medical research and donated his body, so there will not be a funeral." Ryan was best known for his role as Charlie Whelan in Coronation Street, and he appeared in Emmerdale, GBH and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Val Kilmer
The California-born star of Top Gun, Batman and Heat died of pneumonia on 1st April, aged 65. Kyle Maclachlan, who co-starred with Kilmer in The Doors, wrote: "You'll always be my Jim. See you on the other side my friend." Francis Ford Coppola said: "Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life." Tom Cruise pais tribute at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, saying: "I'd like to honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer. I can't tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honoured I was when he joined Top Gun and came back later for Top Gun: Maverick. I wish you well on the next journey."
March 2025
Richard Chamberlain
The American actor, who became famous as Dr Kildare in the TV soap of the same name, died on 29th March aged 90. He also appeared in the television mini-series The Thorn Birds and Shogun.
Paul "Wags" Wagstaff
The guitarist of the short-lived Manchester band had an indie hit with Perfume (All On You). He later worked with Black Grape, the reformed Happy Mondays and The Charlatans. His death, aged 60, was announced on 24th March.
paris angels - perfume
George Foreman
The two-time heavyweight boxing champion died on 21st March, aged 76. He was best known for his high profile bout against Muhammed Ali in Zaire in 1974, nicknamed The Rumble In The Jungle. In later years, he lent his name to a fat-reducing grilling machines, which shifted over 100 million units since its launch in 1994.
Eddie Jordan
The Dublin-born racing driver and head of the Jordan Racing Formula 1 team died on 20th March 2025, aged 76. His team featured drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Martin Brundle and Damon Hill and won four Grands Prix over 15 years. He later became a pundit for the BBC and then Channel 4.
Simon Fisher-Becker
The London born actor, who made appearances in Doctor Who, Afterlife and Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone, died on 9th March 2025, aged 63.
Brian James
One of the founding members of The Damned, James died on 6th March 2025, aged 70. He wrote Britain's first punk single, New Rose, which was released on the Chiswick label in October 1976, appearing a month before the Sex Pistols' Anarchy In The UK. After composing most of the material on the first two Damned albums, he left the band at the end of 1977, later working with Iggy Pop and Duff McKagan, among many others. In 1981, James launched a new band The Lords Of The New Church with ex-Dead Boys singer Stiv Bators. He reunited with his Damned colleagues for a series of shows in 2022; his bandmate Captain Sensible wrote on social media: "We’re shocked to hear that creator of The Damned, our great chum Brian James, has sadly gone. A lovely bloke that I feel so lucky to have met all those years ago and for some reason chose me to help in his quest for the music revolution that became known as punk."
Angie Stone
Acclaimed R&B and soul singer Angie Stone, tragically died in a car crash in Montgomery, Alabama on 1st March 2025 at 63 years old. The US musician gave her last performance at the 2025 Grand Marshal's Ball in Mobile just the night before. She is survived by her son Michael Archer (whom she shares with neo soul singer D'Angelo), daughter Diamond Stone, who she shares with ex husband Rodney Stone, and her two grandchildren.
February 2025
David Johansen
The lead singer of the "proto-punk" band The New York Dolls died on 28th February 2025, aged 75. He was the last surviving original member, following the deaths of Sylvain Sylvain in 2021, Arthur Kane in 2004, Jerry Nolan in 1992 and Johnny Thunders in 1991.
Michelle Trachtenberg
The American actress, who was best known for her roles in Harriet The Spy, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, sadly died on 26th February aged 39. Gary Mantoosh, a representative for Trachtenberg, confirmed her death "with great sadness" in a statement to USA TODAY Wednesday. "The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time."
Gene Hackman
The actor, who won Oscars for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven, was found dead at his home in New Mexico together with his wife Betsy Arakawa on 26th February 2025. He was 95. Hackman also starred as Lex Luthor in the 1978 reboot of Superman and appeared in Bonnie And Clyde (1967), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Conversation (1974), Under Fire (1983), The Firm (1992) and Crimson Tide (1995).
Henry Kelly
The Irish former journalist first came to fame as one of the presenters of ITV's Saturday night show Game For A Laugh alongside Jeremy Beadle, Matthew Kelly and Sarah Kennedy. He later was a presenter on TV-am and fronted the daytime BBC quiz show Going For Gold between 1987 and 1996. Kelly was also one of the first presenters on Classic FM and later did a stint on LBC. He died on 25th February 2025, aged 78.
Roberta Flack
The North Carolina-born singer was best known for her performances of Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which both won a Grammy for Record Of The Year. She died on 24th February 2025, aged 88.
Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song (Official Video)
Rick Buckler
The drummer with The Jam died on 17th February after a short illness aged 69. He had been part of the mod outfit with bandmates Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton since the mid-1970s until their much-publicised split in December 1982.
Brian Murphy
The Isle of Wight-born actor was best known for his role as the hapless George Roper in the ITV sitcoms Man About The House and George And Mildred alongside the legendary Yootha Joyce. He later appeared in series such as Last Of The Summer Wine and Mrs Merton And Malcolm. He died on 2nd February 2025, aged 92.
January 2025
Marianne Faithfull
The Hampstead-born actor and musician died on 30th January 2025 aged 78. Her first single was a Mick Jagger-Keith Richards composition As Tears Go By her relationship with Mick Jagger fascinated the newspapers in the late 60s - particularly after she was present when Mick and Keith were arrested for possession of drugs in February 1967. In 1979, Faithfull's musical career was given a boost with the "comeback" album Broken English, which spawned the hit The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan.
John Sykes
The musician, who was best known as the guitarist for Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake died at the age of 65 on 20th January after losing his long battle with cancer.
David Lynch
The influential director - best known for Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and iconic TV series Twin Peaks - died on 15th January, aged 78, a year after revealing his emphysema diagnosis.
Linda Nolan
The singer, actress and TV personality, best known as a member of The Nolans, died on 15th January at the age of 65. Linda, who went public with her terminal cancer diagnosis in recent years, was admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in January and fell into a coma, dying of double pneumonia "embraced with love and comfort" with her siblings by her side.
Tony Slattery
The British actor and comedian - best known for his regular appearances on on the Channel 4 improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway? - died on 14th January, aged 65 following a heart attack
Paul Danan
The former Hollyoaks actor's shocking death at just 46 years old was recored on 15th January. Danan was buried a week later, but the cause of his death still remains unknown. Danan leaves behind his nine-year-old son DeNiro, who he shared with a former partner.
Sam Moore
Sam Moore, best known for being half of the duo Sam & Dave - along with partner Dave Prater - that performed Soul Man and Hold On I'm Coming, died on 10th January at age 89 from surgery complications.
The Vivienne
The former Ru Paul's Drag Race winner - whose real name is James Lee Williams - died on 5th January at 32 years old.
Jeff Baena
The American screenwriter and film director - known for Life After Beth, Joshy and The Little Hours - sadly died aged 47 years old on 3rd January 2025 due to suicide. He is survived by his actor wife Aubrey Plaza, who is known for her roles in Parks and Recreation and The White Lotus.
