In Memoriam: 2016

Wow, has this been a devastating year or what? And not just for the British entertainment community, but globally. It’s been next to impossible to keep up with the growing list of those who have left us; some after long, full careers while others have suddenly passed when we assumed we had decades more to look forward to their contributions.

The losses have touched the fields of television, film, radio and the recording industry equally. As fans we have mourned deaths of people who made us laugh, cry, dance, sing and most importantly, think. We thank them for sharing their talents with the world and they will continue to live on in our memories through the work they left behind.

What follows is my personal list of a dozen British icons that died this year. Many you will recognize, but a few names may be unknown to you. The clips and images I have chosen are favorite characters, moments, songs or performances that are meaningful to me.

Caroline Aherne

Age: 52

Comedian, writer and actress

Three-time BAFTA award winner, Aherne created and starred in the sitcom The Royle Family, the comedy chat show The Mrs. Merton Show and the sketch program, The Fast Show. Known for her unique voice, Caroline also narrated the reality TV series, Gogglebox.

Liz Smith

Age: 95

Actress

Ms. Smith is noted for her eccentric characters in the period drama Lark Rise to Candleford and in sitcoms such as 2Point4 Children, The Vicar of Dibley and alongside Caroline Aherne as Norma “Nana” Speakman in The Royle Family. She also won a Best Supporting Actress BAFTA for her role as Maggie Smith’s mother in the film, A Private Function.