Kim Jong-il ...who died today.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died of a heart attack at the age of 69. He had been in power since the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994.

The communist country's "Dear Leader" was reputed to have had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine – and was often criticized for his lifestyle while his people struggled in poverty. In 2010, he was ranked 31st in Forbes Magazine's List of The World's Most Powerful People.

“One is responsible for one's own destiny and one has also the capacity for hewing out one's own destiny.”

Click here to see Kim Jong-iL looking at things.

Kim Jong-il... who died today.

Christopher Hitchens ...who died today.

Author and journalist Christopher Hitchens has died at the age of 62.

He died from pneumonia, a complication of the oesophageal cancer he had, at a Texas hospital.

The publication of his 2007 book ‘God Is Not Great’ made him a major celebrity in his adopted homeland of the United States, and he happily took on the role of the country's best-known atheist.

He called Bill Clinton "a cynical, self-seeking ambitious thug", Henry Kissinger a war criminal and Mother Teresa a fraudulent fanatic.

"I sometimes wish I were suffering in a good cause, or risking my life for the good of others, instead of just being a gravely endangered patient."

Socrates ...who died today.

Brazilian World Cup footballer Socrates – full name Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira – has died at the age of 57.

Socrates was widely regarded as one of the greatest ever midfielders and was the star of Brazil’s 1982 World Cup team, scoring in the famous 3-2 win over Italy.

He played in two World Cups, winning 60 caps for his country and scoring 22 goals. He was also a qualified doctor. In 2004, aged 50, Socrates made an appearance as sub for Garforth Town in the Northern Counties League after a one-off deal to become player-coach.

“The beauty comes first. Victory is secondary. What matters is joy.”

Ken Russell ...who died today.

Ken Russell, the veteran film maker who directed Women in Love, The Devils and Tommy, has died at the age of 84

          




Known for a flamboyant style that was developed during his early career in television, Russell's films often courted controversy. The Devils - a religious drama that featured an infamous scene between Oliver Reed and Venessa Redgrave sexualising the crucifixion – was initially rejected by Warner Brothers. It will finally be released in its entirety in March next year, when it will form part of the BFI's centenary celebrations.

“Reality is a dirty word for me, I know it isn't for most people, but I am not interested. There's too much of it about.”

Gary Speed …who died today.

Wales national team manager and former Premier League footballer Gary Speed has died at the age of 42, following a suspected suicide at his home.

At the time of his death, Speed was one of only three players ever to have recorded more than 500 Premier League appearances, playing for Leeds, Everton and Newcastle, among others. He was also capped 85 times by his country – 44 as captain.

“I feel sharp during games. It's just before and after...”

Heavy D ...who died today.

Rapper and actor Heavy D, one of the defining voices of hip-hop's late-80s and early-90s golden age, has died.

Born Dwight Arrington Myers in Jamaica and raised in New York state, Heavy D barrelled into hip-hop history alongside G-Whiz, Trouble T-Roy and Eddie F – collectively known as Heavy D and the Boyz.

"I got plots and plans, pots and pans,

Stocks and grands, so make room for the big man"

Joe Frazier ...who died today.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Smokin' Joe Frazier, who held the world title between 1970 and 1973 and fought three epic battles with Muhammad Ali, has died at the age of 67.

The first of the three fights with Ali – dubbed ‘The fight of the century’ – saw Frazier unify the world title. However, Frazier lost the other two fights, including the famous ‘Thrilla in Manila’, considered the greatest fight of all time.

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, I done the job, he knows, look and see."

Sir Jimmy Savile ...who died today.

Veteran DJ, TV presenter, wrestler and charity fundraiser Sir Jimmy Savile has died, aged 84. Savile, who was one of the most famous names on British TV and radio in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, was most famed for his family show, Jim'll Fix It, which drew in huge audiences and received 20,000 letters a week. Savile was the first presenter of Top of the Pops in 1964.

“How’s about that, then.”

Marco Simoncelli ...who died today.

Italian MototGP rider Marco Simoncelli has died after a crash at the Malaysian Grand Priz in Sepang, aged 24.

Simoncelli's bike veered across the track at turn 11 and into the path of Colin Edwards and close friend Valentino Rossi. His helmet was knocked off and he was hit by both other riders.

Simoncelli's achieved his first MotoGP podium with a third-place finish in the Czech Republic in August and later secured a second-place finish at the Australian GP.

"Going into a duel with him is like going into a fight with someone bigger than you. You know he's going to take you."

Valentino Rossi.

Col Muammar Gaddafi ...who died today.

Former Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled across six decades and was ousted earlier this year during civil unrest, has been killed.

Gaddafi was caught while trying to flee an air strike and, despite heading for the sanctuary of a nearby sewage pipe, was captured and assassinated.

Gaddafi was in charge of the country at the time of the murder of police officer Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in London, and was considered by many to be responsible for ordering the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 above Lockerbie which killed 270 people.

Dan Wheldon ...who died today.

British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon has died following a massive accident at the Las Vegas Indy 300, at the age of 33. He was one of 15 drivers involved in a crash at the second corner on lap 13 and, despite being airlifted to hospital, died from his injuries. Wheldon began IndyCar racing in 2002 and was series champion in 2005. He also won the Indy 500 in 2005 and 2011.

“That statistic of most race wins in a season is something pretty special to me. I love the Indianapolis 500, and that's always going to be my favorite race in the world, and it's going to be one of the fondest memories of my life.”

Betty Driver ...who died today.

Coronation Street actress Betty Driver has died at the age of 91. Driver joined the ITV soap in 1969 as barmaid Betty Turpin, playing the role for 42 years and starring in 2,800 episodes. She was in show business for nearly 80 years, starting as a touring singer at the age of 12.

“I will never retire - ever - they'll have to shoot me to get rid of me.”

Click here to see Betty talk about her career.
 

Betty Driver ...who died today.



Jagjit Singh ...who died today.

Renowned Indian singer Jagjit Singh has died in Mumbai aged 70. Singh, who was famed for his semi-classical ghazal songs, suffered from a stroke last month and had been in a coma in hospital since. He recorded more than 50 albums, many of them major commercial successes.

“Wo mazaa kahaan, wasl-e-yaar mein, lutf jo mila, intezaar mein..."

(What pleasure lies in embrace and reunion, than in the endless wait of the beloved)

Roger Williams ...who died today.

US pianist Roger Williams, who topped the Billboard charts in the 1950s with his solo performance of Autumn Leaves, has died aged 87. Williams is the only performer to have had a US number one with a piano solo. He was known as 'the pianist to the presidents', having performed for US leaders from Harry Truman to George W Bush.

"The only thing I have against rock'n'roll is the volume.”

Mikey Welsh ...who died today.

Former Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh has died while on tour with the band in Chicago. Welsh joined Weezer in 2000 after original bassist Matt Sharp left the band to focus on his other band, The Rentals. He spent a year in Weezer, recording The Green Album, but suffered a nervous breakdown in 2001.

“Dreamt I died in Chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). Need to write my will today.”

Mikey Welsh, 26 September 2011.

George Baker ...who died today.

George Baker, best known for playing Inspector Wexford and who also appeared in The Dam Busters, The Spy Who Loved Me and I, Claudius, has died at the age of 80.

James Bond creator Ian Fleming considered Baker to be the ideal candidate to play Bond, but the role went to Sean Connery. Ironically, in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Baker dubbed George Lazenby's voice for the central segment of the film.

George Baker ...who died today.

Diane Cilento ...who died today.

Actress Diane Cilento – who gained international acclaim in the 1950s and ‘60s, starred in The Wicker Man and alongside Paul Newman in Hombre, and who was nominated for an Oscar in 1963 – has died at the age of 79. She was also the second wife of Sean Connery.

“They want to know what it’s like being Mrs James Bond, but I’ve had a much more complicated and interesting life than just that.”

Click here to see Diane Celinto in The Wicker Man.

Diane Cilento ...who died today.

Charles Napier ...who died today.

Charles Napier, star of The Blues Brothers, The Silence Of The Lambs, and Philadelphia has died at the age of 75. The tough guy character actor is best remembered for his role as Tucker McElroy in The Blues Brothers.

Click here to see Napier as Tucker McElroy in The Blues Brothers.

"You're gonna look pretty funny tryin' to eat corn on the cob with no fuckin' teeth."

Charles Napier ...who died today

Steve Jobs ...who died today.

Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, inventor of the iPod and iPhone, owner of Pixar, and God to the geeks, has died at the age of 56.

“My girlfriend always laughs during sex - no matter what she's reading.”

Graham Dilley ...who died today.

Former England bowler Graham Dilley has died aged 52 after a short illness. The former Kent and Worcestershire paceman played 41 Test matches and 36 one-day internationals. His best moment came in 1981, when he helped England complete a memorable win in the third Ashes Test.

Click here to watch Graham Dilley rip through the Windies...

Graham Dilley ...who died today.

Bert Jansch ...who died today.

Bert Jansch, the Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle, has died at the age of 67 after a long battle with cancer. Musicians he influenced include Jimmy Page, Johnny Marr, Nick Drake, Graham Coxon, Donovan, Neil Young, Bernard Butler and Paul Simon.

“And through twelve gates of the city, I came into my prime. I was singing songs of wild mountain thyme”

Sylvia Robinson ...who died today.

Sylvia Robinson, who is credited with releasing Hip Hop's first ever hit, Rapper's Delight, by The Sugarhill Gang (1979), and who had a hit as a singer-songwriter with the sexually charged Pillow Talk, has died at the age of 76.

"I said a hip hop the hippie the hippie, to the hip hip hop, a you dont stop..."

David Croft ...who died today.

David Croft, who brought laughter to millions through decades of comedy scriptwriting, has died at the age of 89. He was the genius behind some of the best-loved moments in Dad’s Army, ’Allo ’Allo, Are You Being Served? and It Ain’t Half Hot Mum – plus a string of hit films and TV series that spanned generations.


"I was brought up in Nipples..."