Paying tribute to the stars we've lost in 2023 – in memoriam

"He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him. He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him.

"We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn't want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well lived." – a statement from Steve's family

"Steve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on. To millions of Emmerdale viewers, he was the brawny but crafty Dingle patriarch who led the clan with a strong fist and a warm heart.

"To everyone who worked on Emmerdale, he was a much-loved friend and colleague, the undoubted father of the show, but also its fun mischievous uncle. We will miss him enormously." – John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama & Head of ITV in the North

"It was an honor #CamdenToy." – Sarah Michelle Gellar

"This is a tough one. So many memories including working together, decades of laughing, sharing mutual friends, get togethers, travel, conventions, and huggles with each other and our fans. To know Camden Toy was to Love Camden Toy. We may have met on the set of Buffy as two hideous looking 'Gentlemen', but that only sparked a dear friendship that would continue for twenty-four years.

"It’s rare to find a man so joyful, smiley, smart, talented, giggly, huggie, good at listening with his heart, and accessible always to anyone he knew, including his many fans. May he rest in God’s peace. #RIP #CamdenToy." – Doug Jones

"Can't believe you're gone so soon. I'm honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon. You taught me so much. I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you.

"Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship. Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like. Rest In Peace, Andre. I love you, man." – Terry Crews

"Andre Braugher. God. I've worked with a lot of wonderful actors. I'll never work with one better. Stunned and thinking of Ami and his sons and so many memories of this good man that are now a blessing. But too damn soon." – David Simon

"Love you. Will miss your dulcet tones. Forever lucky to have gone on such a journey with you. Ringside seat. You were so funny to me and the epitome of still waters run deep. I will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick.

"Is it weird that I am also grieving for what Captain Holt meant to Gina? I really hoped and knew I would see you again. Hate that I won't." – Chelsea Peretti

"I feel great sorrow with my father's passing. He meant the world to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I'll miss him forever and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms." – Tatum O'Neal, Ryan's daughter

"So sad to hear the news of Ryan O'Neal's passing. We made two films together, What's Up, Doc? and The Main Event. He was funny and charming, and he will be remembered." – Barbra Streisand

"We shared him with the world and we know many will be shocked and saddened by this news. Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so much. Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy." –Benjamin's family

"Our family of writers is in mourning at the loss of a deeply valued friend and a titan of British literature. Benjamin was a man of integrity and an example of how to live your values."– The Black Writers' Guild

"We have lost a Titan today. Benjamin Zephaniah. Beautiful Poet, Professor, Advocate for love and humanity in all things. Heartbroken. Rest In Your Power - our brother."– Adjoa Andoh

"I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Benjamin Zephaniah. His passion for poetry, his advocacy for education for all was tireless." – Sir Lenny Henry

"I'm devastated. I admired him, respected him, learnt from him, loved him. Love and condolences to the family and to all who loved him too." – Michael Rosen

"To call this crushing news is a massive understatement. He was far too young, far too brilliant and still had so much to offer. A loss we'll never recover from." – Nels Abbey

"Benjamin was a truly gifted and beautiful human being. A generational poet, writer, musician and activist. A proud Brummie and a Peaky Blinder. I'm so saddened by this news." – Cillian Murphy

"Brigit had a varied and notable career in stage, screen and radio. Best known for her roles in television as Thelma in Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?, Francine Pratt in Playing The Field and Madge in Still Open All Hours." –Brigit's agent

"I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it. Shane who will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese.

"I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures. There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music. You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much. You meant the world to me." – Victoria Mary Clarke

"It is with deep sadness we must tell you that actor Dean Sullivan passed away on 29th November 2023 peacefully following a short illness. Dean is best remembered as the longest-serving cast member of Channel 4’s groundbreaking Brookside, playing the role of ‘Jimmy Corkhill’, making Dean a British Soap icon. To millions, he was and very much still is remembered as ‘Jimmy’, to family and friends he was ‘Dino’.

"Dean’s family wants to thank Arrowe Park Hospital for their unwavering and consistent support. We ask that you respect their privacy in their time of grief." – Hamilton Management and Sullivan’s family

"Frannie. Mom. Frances Sternhagen. On Monday night, Nov 27, she died peacefully at her home, a month and a half shy of her 94th birthday. I will post more soon, but for now I just want to give thanks for the remarkable gift of an artist and human being that was Frances Sternhagen. She was beloved by many. I'm very lucky I was able to call her my mom, my friend, my song and dance partner.

"We were together last week, and we spoke Monday afternoon, said how much we loved and missed one another. I was about to board a plane for London when I got the news, and am there now. Set to perform some new songs (one of which was inspired by her) this weekend. She always encouraged my writing, and enjoyed my singing. I’ll fly back very early the next day.

"Fly on, Frannie. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived." – John Carlin

"It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our incredible mother, Annabel Giles, who passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon at Martlets Hospice in Hove. In July, Mum was diagnosed with a stage 4 glioblastoma, a fast-growing and highly aggressive malignant brain tumour." - Annabel's children

"It is with a heavy heart that today we had to [say] farewell [to] our beloved Johnny. Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible nurses and doctors. He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy.

"Johnny was very determined and had a strong will. He battled all the way to the end and fought as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul with so much more to give. We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Rest easy." – family statement via Instagram

"The cheekiest chap. His voice, smile and dancing feet will be missed by so many. Thinking of his family in this heartbreaking time." – Dannii Minogue

"My heart just broke." – Melanie Brown

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love." - Perry's family

"We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliché to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words." - Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin Bright

"What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared." - Maggie Wheeler

"My oldest boy friend. All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me. And I'm broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams." Selma Blair

"I met Matthew Perry in 1993 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. We were both there for most of the summer doing plays. He was so funny and so sweet and so much fun to be with. We drove out to swim in creeks, had beers in the local college bar, kissed in a field of long grass. It was a magical summer. He had shot the pilot of Friends but it had not aired yet. He was nervous, hoping his big break was just around the corner. It was. We stayed friends for a while until we drifted apart, but I was always happy to see him when I did. I am super sad today, as so many of us are. I hope Matthew is at peace at long last. I really do." - Gwyneth Paltrow

"It is with great sadness we are sharing with you that, following her recent diagnosis with cancer, the star of stage and screen Haydn Gwynne died in hospital in the small hours of Friday October 20, surrounded by her beloved sons, close family and friends. We would like to thank the staff and teams at the Royal Marsden and Brompton hospitals for their wonderful care over the last few weeks." – statement from Haydn's agent (via the BBC)

"Shocked by the news that Haydn Gwynne has died. So young, so talented. I'd known her for over 30 years. We never worked together but I saw her in so many shows & we always chatted when we met. A sad day. There'll be a bright star in heaven tonight. RIP dear Haydn." – Elaine Paige

"This is tragic news. I was fortunate to work with her very briefly in The Trial of Macbeth. She was not only brilliant but completely set the tone for us all in rehearsal with her humour, generosity and strength. Love and respect to her memory and her family." – Christopher Eccleston and family

"To my Dear Friend, BURT YOUNG, you were an incredible man and artist, I and the World will miss you very much...RIP." – Sylvester Stallone

"Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th. She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family. Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly." – Suzanne's publicist

"I don’t know how profound sadness and joy coexist, but feel profound sadness at the passing of my mother and extreme joy at the love that is pouring for her. She was a ferocious warrior who not only fought for her health but fought for everyone to advocate for themselves. She loved all of you deeply and had a super power to be 100% present with everyone you met. I miss her. Thank you all for seeing her so beautifully." – Bruce Somers Jr.