Celebrity deaths 2024: The famous faces who have died this year

It was another historic year.

The UK got a new Prime Minister, Donald Trump won the 2024 United States presidential election after surviving an assassination attempt, and England's football team made it through to the Euro 2024 final.

But as we lived through another extraordinary year, 2024 was mired in tragedy as many famous faces from stage, screen and sport - including some of Greater Manchester's own - tragically died.

The Manchester Evening News have looked back at some of the much loved stars who have died this year, including One Direction member Liam Payne, TV doctor Michael Mosley, rugby star Rob Burrow and acting great Dame Maggie Smith.

David Soul

David Soul, the US-born actor, best known for his role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson in the classic crime-solving series Starsky & Hutch, died aged 80.

Soul, who starred opposite Paul Michael Glaser as Detective Dave Starsky in the 1970s US TV series, was also known for his roles in Here Come The Brides, Magnum Force and The Yellow Rose. Starting out as a musician, he sang on The Merv Griffin Show and at the height of his fame released the UK chart-toppers Don’t Give Up On Us and Silver Lady.

Derek Draper

Derek Draper, the former lobbyist and political adviser who was married to TV presenter Kate Garraway, died aged 56 after suffering long-lasting damage to his organs from coronavirus.

A prominent figure in New Labour in the 1990s, Draper worked for Blairite Peter Mandelson and set up the Progress organisation with Liam Byrne, who went on to become an MP. After he was embroiled in the so-called “cash-for-access” scandal, dubbed “lobbygate”, he travelled to the United States, where he retrained as a psychotherapist.

Annie Nightingale

Annie Nightingale,