Celebrity deaths: The big names mourned in 2016

The world lost many of its best-loved celebrities in 2016. Here are the stars the world has said goodbye to this year.

JanuaryStarman, the voice of radio and Hans Gruber

Music legend David Bowie died from cancer three days after releasing his 25th studio album, Blackstar. We also lost broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, actor Alan Rickman and The Eagles frontman Glenn Frey.
Image Caption:Bowie died at the age of 69 on 10 January

FebruaryTo Kill A Mockingbird author

To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee died in February. Her 1960 novel about a child's eye view of racial injustice in a fictional Alabama town in the 1930s became standard reading for millions of young people.

Frank Kelly - best known for playing the character of Father Jack in the comedy Father Ted - died in the same month.
Image Caption:Author Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, died aged 89 on 19 February

MarchThe last of the Two Ronnies and the 'Fifth Beatle'

Comedian Ronnie Corbett, famous for his TV partnership with Ronnie Barker, died in March, surrounded by his family.

Magician Paul Daniels, Beatles producer George Martin, Coronation Street creator Tony Warren, legendary footballer Johan Cruyff and Emerson, Lake and Palmer founder and keyboard player Keith Emerson also passed away.
Image Caption:Beatles producer Sir George Martin died aged 90 on 8 March

AprilMusic icon and creator of The Ballad of Barry and Freda

Prince was found unresponsive and alone in an elevator at his complex in Paisley Park, Minnesota, in April. He died of an accidental overdose.

Comedian and actress Victoria Wood also died in April at her home in London. In a statement, her older brother Chris said her death "has robbed us of one of the brightest talents of our generation".

We also said goodbye to reality TV star and music producer David Gest, and agony aunt Denise Robertson.
Image Caption:Victoria Wood died in April

MayBread creator

TV writer Carla Lane, who was behind a number of sitcoms including Bread, Butterflies and the Liver Birds, died in May, as did actor Burt Kwouk, who was best known for playing Inspector Clouseau's manservant Cato Fong in the Pink Panther films.
Image Caption:The TV writer Carla Lane passed away in May

June'The Greatest'

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away in June. The three-time world heavyweight champion had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, three years after he retired from the sport.

Also in June, Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin died in a freak accident after becoming pinned between his own car and a brick mailbox at his home in Los Angeles.
Image Caption:Cassius Clay in May 1963 - the year before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali

JulyMrs Merton

The comedian, writer and actress Caroline Aherne - famous for The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family - died in July.
Image Caption:Caroline Aherne arrives at an awards show in 2007

AugustWilly Wonka and R2-D2

Comedy legend Gene Wilder, who starred in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, died in August.

We also mourned Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars film franchise.
Image Caption:Gene Wilder pictured in 1996

SeptemberGolfing legend

Golf legend Arnold Palmer, who won seven majors, passed away in September.

He drew thousands of fans to the game in the 1950s and 1960s and his keen fan base earned the moniker "Arnie's Army".
Image Caption:Arnold Palmer with Tiger Woods in 1997

OctoberCorrie star and Dead or Alive frontman

Jean Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street, died in October.

We also lost Dad's Army and Hi-de-Hi! writer Jimmy Perry in the same month, along with American singer Bobby Vee - known for Rubber Ball and Take Good Care of My Baby.

Dead or Alive singer and former Celebrity Big Brother star Pete Burns also died after suffering a cardiac arrest, aged 57.
Image Caption:Former Coronation Street actress Jean Alexander died in October

NovemberFawlty Towers' Manuel and Leonard Cohen

Andrew Sachs, best known for his role as Manuel in Fawlty Towers, died in November.

Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen also passed away, along with the actor Robert Vaughn, Brady Bunch actress Florence Henderson and broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young.
Image Caption:Andrew Sachs as Manuel in Fawlty Towers

DecemberGoodbye 'Dahlinks'

Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor died in December. She starred in dozens of films and TV shows, but was perhaps better known for her love life, having married nine times.

Rock superstar Greg Lake also passed away in December, as did Sunday Times critic AA Gill, Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt, and actor Peter Vaughan, who appeared as Harry 'Grouty' Grout in TV sitcom Porridge and as Maester Aemon in Game of Thrones.
Image Caption:Peter Vaughan in Game of Thrones