Even though the new year has only just begun, we’ve already had to bid farewell to a few well-known faces.
2025 brought us the tragic news of David Lynch and Paul Danan, who both passed away on January 15.
Tributes also flooded in for Linda Nolan, who died at the age of 65 after a long fight with cancer.
Here, we pay tribute to those we’ve lost in 2025.
Wayne Osmond died on January 1 (Yui Mok/PA)
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At the age of 73, the smooth baritone of the pop group the Osmond Brothers, and thereafter the Osmonds, passed away. According to his brother Merrill Osmond, Osmond died at a Salt Lake City, Utah, hospital following a “massive stroke” on January 1.
Merrill Osmond wrote on Facebook: “I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.”
Jeff Baena had married Aubrey Plaza in 2021
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Medical examiner documents show that Jeff Baena committed suicide on January 3 at his home in Los Angeles, California. He was 47 years old.
Baena was a screenwriter and film director. He wrote and directed Life After Beth, Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl and Spin Me Round and co-wrote I Heart Huckabees. He was known for his frequent collaborations with actresses Alison Brie, Molly Shannon, and his wife Aubrey Plaza.
Emilio Echevarría is known for his roles in Amores perros and James Bond
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Emilio Echevarría, the actor best known for his roles in Amores perros, The Alamo and the James Bond franchise, died at the age of 81 on January 4.
After starting his career in theatre, Echevarría made the switch to film in the 1980s, securing parts in critically acclaimed films including Babel, Y Tu Mama Tambien, and Amores Perros. In the 2004 production of The Alamo, he also portrayed Antonio LoÁpez de Santa Anna, the president of Mexico.
Jim Short died aged 58
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Comedian Jim Short, who appeared on TV shows including Late Night with Conan O’Brien, died aged 58 on January 5.
Short also appeared on other American chat shows, including The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and The Late Show with David Letterman.
James Lee Williams “The Vivienne”
Drag queen The Vivienne during a catwalk show at RuPaul’s DragCon UK (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
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RuPaul’s Drag Race star, The Vivienne, also known as James Lee Williams passed away at the age of 32, their publicist said on January 5.
According to authorities, there were “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding the death.
Williams, who was born in Wales, took on the drag moniker because of their reputation for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing.
Peter Yarrow was part of the US folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary
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The US folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary’s singer, Peter Yarrow, passed away at the age of 86 on January 7. Yarrow had been diagnosed with bladder cancer four years prior.
Sam Moore passed away at the age of 89
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The surviving half and lead singer of the 1960s duet Sam & Dave, who were known for such iconic songs of the time as Soul Man and Hold On, I’m Comin’, passed away at the age of 89 on January 10.
Actors Leslie Charleson and Jill Larson in 2003
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The renowned soap opera veteran Leslie Charleson, who played Dr Monica Quartermaine in the enduring General Hospital series, passed away at the age of 79 on January 12.
Tony Book died at 90-years-old
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Tony Book, who led Manchester City to four major championships in the 1960s and 1970s before taking over as manager, passed away on January 13 at the age of 90.
Tony Slattery appeared on multiple shows including Whose Line Is It Anyway?
(Neil Munns/PA)
After suffering a heart attack in January, comedian Tony Slattery passed away at the age of 65 on January 14. Slattery made an appearance on Whose Line Is It Anyway? a comic improvisation program on Channel 4 and the comedies Have I Got News For You and Just A Minute.
Director David Lynch died aged 78 (Anthony Harvey/PA)
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“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” his family wrote in a Facebook statement on January 16.
It happened five months after Lynch disclosed that, as a result of “many years of smoking”, he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung illness.
Family paid tribute to Linda Nolan (Yui Mok/PA)
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Two decades after receiving her initial cancer diagnosis, singer Linda Nolan, who was an integral part of the musical trio the Nolans, passed away at the age of 65 on January 15.
Alongside sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise, and Anne, Nolan rose to stardom in the 1970s.
They achieved success with songs including the disco classic I’m In The Mood for Dancing. After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 2005 and receiving the all-clear in 2011, she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017. By 2023, it had spread to her brain.
TV presenter Coleen Nolan took to Instagram to say she was “utterly devastated” by her sister’s death, describing Linda as a “beacon of love, kindness and strength”.
Actress Diane Langton as Mama Morton during a photocall for the hit West End musical Chicago in 1998 (PA)
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Diane Langton, the star of Hollyoaks and Only Fools & Horses, passed away on January 15 at the age of 77. In the Channel 4 soap opera, the actress played Nana McQueen. Over the course of her more than 70-year career, she starred in a number of iconic UK television series, including EastEnders.
Paul Dana, well-known for Hollyoaks, died at the age of 46 (Ian West/PA)
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Paul Danan, who was well-known for his appearances on Hollyoaks and Celebrity Love Island, died at the age of 46 on January 15.
The TV personality’s management company, Independent Creative PR, released a statement announcing his death.
It read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old. Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many.
According to the Mail, Danan is thought to have died after a “slip and fall” in his Bristol flat. The police claimed that the star’s death was not “suspicious”.
In a statement, the police said: “During this difficult time, we kindly request respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends, and colleagues. No further comments will be made at this time.”
The actress was known for her performances in TV biopic Stalin and Enchanted April
(Fiona Hanson/PA)
The actress was known for her performances in TV biopic Stalin and Enchanted April, as well as The Entertainer and 101 Dalmatians.
Her family said: “It is with great sadness that the family of Dame Joan Plowright, the Lady Olivier, inform you that she passed away peacefully on January 16 2025 surrounded by her family at Denville Hall aged 95.
“She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire.
“She cherished her last 10 years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories.”
The football player was diagnosed with dementia in 2021
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In a statement, his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle, but finally, he is now at peace.
“We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference.”
The football star from Aberdeen previously revealed in August 2021 that he was diagnosed with dementia.
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Claire van Kampen died on her husband’s 65th birthday
Daniel Hambury
Mark Rylance confirmed the passing of his wife, Claire van Kampen at the age of 71, on January 18.
Her family said in a statement: “Claire has died of cancer on Mark Rylance’s 65th Birthday. Her youngest daughter having died in 2012, she leaves her eldest daughter, Juliet Rylance, her two husbands, and countless beloved friends in England and America.
“We thank her for imbuing our lives with her magic, music, laughter, and love.”
Van Kampen was a concert pianist, composer, playwright and theatre director who spent about 20 years at Shakespeare’s Globe in a variety of roles.
