Paying tribute to the celebrities who died in 2017 – in memoriam
2017 seen us say farewell to a number of famous faces from the world of entertainment. Here, we remember those icons of TV, film, music and beyond, along with the words of their friends, colleagues and loved ones.
Keith Chegwin – actor and TV presenter – died December 11, 2017
Gaby Roslin: "I was blessed to work with Keith Chegwin on The Big Breakfast and he was a happy and joyous man. So generous and kind. Bye bye, Cheggers. So so sad."
Lorraine Kelly: "Very sad to hear about the death of Keith Chegwin. A kind, funny, brave man who seized the day."
Ricky Gervais: "So sad to hear about the death of the lovely & funny Keith Chegwin. RIP you National Treasure."
Heather North – actress and the voice of Scooby-Doo's Daphne – died November 30, 2017
Grey Griffin, who has voiced Daphne since 2001: "Aw, jeepers. Such a great loss. We both attended the same church years ago. She was a beautiful & talented lady!"
David Cassidy – musician and actor – died November 21, 2017
Brian Wilson: "I'm very sad to hear about David Cassidy. There were times in the mid-1970s when he would come over to my house and we even started writing a song together. He was a very talented and nice person. Love & Mercy to David and his family."
Marie Osmond: "Heartbroken over the passing of David Cassidy. He graced the covers of teen magazines [with] my brothers in the '70s. My condolences to his family."
Gloria Gaynor: "My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of David Cassidy... part of a musical legacy via his role as Keith Partridge that brought music and laughter into the homes of millions."
Rodney Bewes – actor best known for The Likely Lads – died November 21, 2017
James Bolam, his Likely Lads co-star: "I just remember him with great warmth and with great happiness and the time we had when we actually did the shows, that's the greatest memory of all."
Ant & Dec: "We are very sad to hear of the passing of Rodney Bewes, a fine comic actor who we had the honour of meeting and working with. He will live on through Bob Ferris and the brilliant Likely Lads. RIP."
Della Reese – actress, singer and talkshow host – died November 20, 2017
Roma Downey, Della's friend and co-star on Touched by an Angel: "She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and Pastor, as well as an award-winning actress and singer. Through her life and work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people. She was a mother to me and I had the privilege of working with her side by side for so many years on Touched By An Angel. I know heaven has a brand new angel this day."
Malcolm Young – musician and co-founder of AC/DC – died November 18, 2017
Angus Young, Malcolm's bandmate and brother: "Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young. Malcolm, along with Angus, was the founder and creator of AC/DC. With enormous dedication and commitment he was the driving force behind the band.
"As a guitarist, songwriter and visionary he was a perfectionist and a unique man. He always stuck to his guns and did and said exactly what he wanted. He took great pride in all that he endeavored. His loyalty to the fans was unsurpassed. As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special.
"He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done."
Lil Peep – rapper and musician – died November 15, 2017
Diplo: "Peep had so much more to do man – he was constantly inspiring me."
Zane Lowe: "So young. So sad. RIP Lil Peep."
Post Malone: "In the short time that I knew you, you were a great friend to me and a great person. Your music changed the world and it'll never be the same. I love you bud. Forever."
Keith Barron – actor known for Coronation Street, Doctor Who, Duty Free and more – died November 15, 2017
Derren Litten: "Terribly sad about the passing of dear Keith Barron. He was full of mischief and could make me howl laughing with the merest glance – and he knew it."
Sunetra Sarker: "So sad to hear of dear friend Keith Barron passing away. One of a kind. Guaranteed laughter. Shall never forget those days. Old school."
Antonio Carluccio – celebrity chef and restaurateur, died November 8, 2017
Jamie Oliver: "He was my first London Boss at the Neal Street restaurant 25 years ago which was an institution and Mecca of wild mushrooms where I had the pleasure of working for him. He was such a charismatic charming don of all things Italian!! Always hanging out the front door of the restaurant with a big fat cigar, a glass of something splendid and his amazing fuzzy white hair... Viva Antonio Carluccio. Cook a feast up there mate."
Brad Bufanda – actor best known for A Cinderella Story and Veronica Mars
Kirsten Solem, Brad's representative: "We are completely devastated, for he was an extremely talented young actor and wonderful, caring human being. He was reviving his career having just completed two movies, and we are shocked and saddened by his passing."
Fats Domino – musician, died October 25, 2017
LL Cool J: "Rest in paradise to Fats Domino. He paved the way for so many. I remember listening to his music as a little boy."
KT Tunstall: "Thank you Fats Domino, you were an amazing music teacher on your records."
Robert Guillaume – star of Benson and voice of Rafiki in The Lion King – died October 24, 2017
Ava DuVernay: "Giant of stage and screen. Also let's remember that Robert Guillaume was among the first celebs to appear at AIDS fundraisers. Thank you, sir."
Josh Charles: "Robert Guillaume radiated such warmth, light, dignity, and above all, class. That smile and laugh touched us all. RIP to the best boss ever."
Sean Hughes – stand-up comedian and Never Mind the Buzzcocks star – died October 16, 2017
Ross Noble: "Just awful news about Sean Hughes. He was very nice to me when I was starting out in comedy. A sad loss."
Gail Porter: "So, so sad to hear about Sean Hughes. Worked with him many times and he was so incredibly funny."
Tom Petty – musician and frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – died October 2, 2017
Bob Dylan: "I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I'll never forget him."
Brian Wilson: "Tom was a hell of a songwriter and record-maker. He will be missed by everyone who loves music."
Ryan Adams: "His songs, his guitar playing, his style and him just being Tom Petty were things that inspired me my entire life. This world needed him, and he did not disappoint."
Hugh Hefner – Playboy founder – died September 27, 2017
Larry King: "Hugh Hefner was a giant in publishing, journalism, free speech and civil rights. He was a true original, and he was my friend. Rest well, Hef."
Aubrey O'Day: "When I did Playboy, he spoke words to me that affected my direction. He was a man the room would stop for when he entered."
Jenny McCarthy: "Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud."
Tony Booth – Till Death Us Do Part and Coronation Street actor – died September 25, 2017
His daughter Lauren: "The man who taught me to read and above all: to fight for what I believe in. God give you peace, Dad."
Liz Dawn – actress best known as Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth – died September 26, 2017
Sally Dynevor: "Liz was an amazing woman. She achieved so much in her life through her role in Coronation Street and her charity work. She was such a giving person who always thought about other people before herself. She was an inspiration of how to be in life and I'm going to miss her."
Beverley Callard: "Liz was a darling of a person and she created one of my favourite characters of all time. She was one of the kindest people I have ever met and my thoughts are with her wonderful family. She will be sorely missed."
Bobby Knutt – star of Emmerdale, Benidorm and the voice of Tetley Tea's 'Gaffer' – died September 25, 2017
Derren Litten: "Very sad Benidorm news, guys. The wonderful Bobby Knutt has passed away suddenly aged 71. Sending our Beni love to his family."
William G Stewart – TV presenter, producer and host of Fifteen to One – died September 21, 2017
Sandi Toksvig: "Sad news about William Gladstone Stewart. A lovely man, a consummate TV professional and of course, host of Fifteen to One long before I stepped up."
Harry Dean Stanton – actor best known for Alien, Twin Peaks, Pretty in Pink and Paris, Texas – died September 15, 2017
David Lynch: "The great Harry Dean Stanton has left us. There went a great one. There's nobody like Harry Dean. Everyone loved him. And with good reason. He was a great actor (actually beyond great) – and a great human being – so great to be around him!!! You are really going to be missed Harry Dean!!! Loads of love to you wherever you are now!!!"
Kate (they/she) is a freelance writer, editor, digital editorial trainer and data technician who first joined Digital Spy as an overnight freelance sub-editor in January 2011, after studying a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Salford University while working part-time as a social researcher.
In July 2013, Kate joined the DS staff team as chief sub-editor and following six years as the site's managing editor, their role expanded to incorporate Hearst UK's entertainment portfolio (including Digital Spy and its sibling titles Best and Inside Soap) between late 2024 and early 2026.
Kate has worked as a writer and editor since 2006, with bylines syndicated across the Hearst network and at organisations including Metro. They started their career as a TV production runner for the BBC and contributed to various music websites, blogs and zines while based in Manchester.
During her time at DS, Kate has previously been a freelance sub-editor and chief sub-editor.
Kate's team at Digital Spy were proudly nominated in the Best Subbing/Production Team category at the BSME Talent Awards 2022. Over the years, she has contributed to coverage of many, many Prime Days and Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and was part of the team that launched the DS weekly TV newsletter in November 2019 – followed by the Top of the Shops e-commerce newsletter in May 2024.
Kate's screen passions include Taskmaster (their biggest career regret remains turning down the opportunity to visit the house), nature documentaries, and live sport (up there with the greatest of all soap operas although if asked to choose, it's Corrie… every time).
Her highlights while working at DS have included interviewing Stevie Nicks on the red carpet for her documentary In Your Dreams, sitting at a press roundtable with Formula 1 commentary icon Murray Walker, watching a life-sized LEGO car being driven around Silverstone, writing an album-by-album retrospective of Lady Gaga's genre-defying career for Living Legends, and raising awareness of receiving and understanding a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis through the lens of Bianca and Freddie's EastEnders storyline.
Upon remembering to log off the internet, Kate enjoys live theatre, dance and comedy, appreciating nature, baking (badly), tending a recently-rented allotment (equally badly) and pampering one very spoiled rescue cat named Jolene.
LinkedIn
Corrie confirms Todd aftermath in death plot
Emmerdale teases Bear’s devastating fate ahead of trial
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is actually a horror movie
Did Half Man go too far with that shocking moment?
