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With the world losing 82 stars in just four months, Express.co.uk remembers a host of much-loved celebrities who have passed away in 2016. Starting the year with the sad news of David Bowie's death in January, we have seen a string of UK icons pass away, including Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, TV favourite Sir Terry Wogan and comedian Ronnie Corbett.

GETTY We have lost many beloved stars in 2016

GETTY Victoria Wood passed away this week after a short battle with cancer

The world has also lost a number of household names from across the globe, from Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff, to Everybody Loves Raymond actress Doris Roberts and reality TV star David Gest. Today tributes from across the world have flooded in for music superstar Prince, died at his home in Minnesota at the age of 57. Police were called to a medical emergency at his Paisley Park estate earlier on Thursday, US media reported. An investigation is underway.

GETTY The world also lost comedy icon Terry Wogan this year

Prince, whose best known hits include Purple Rain and Let's Go Crazy, sold more than 100 million records during his three-decade career. Just a day earlier the UK lost popular comedian Victoria Wood, who died aged 62 after a "short but brave" battle with cancer. Her publicist said the star "died peacefully at her north London home with family".

Reality TV star David Gest also passed away in April at the age of 62. Liza Minnelli's former husband and the Celebrity Big Brother contestant was found dead in a luxury hotel in Canary Wharf. The music producer was a close friend of pop icon Michael Jackson. On March 31 Britain mourned the death of British comedian and actor Ronnie Corbett, who died in hospital aged 85. The comedy icon, who is best known for his appearances in the Two Ronnies in the 1970s and 80s, received a flood of tributes from celebrities and fans. This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson died on the same day aged 83 after battling pancreatic cancer.

GETTY Dutch footballing legend Johan Cruyff died last month

Stars we've lost in 2016 Thu, December 29, 2016 Some of our favourite beloved famous faces who have passed away in 2016. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 68 This combination of pictures shows just some of the public figures who passed away in 2016

Football legend Johan Cruyff died also died in March aged 68 after battling with lung cancer. The star had a glittering career with Ajax and Barcelona and helped his national team Holland reach the 1974 World Cup final. It came soon after beloved magician Paul Daniels, who entertained people of all ages for decades, died aged 77 after battling a brain tumour. His wife of 28 years Debbie McGee said the TV personality's condition meant he did not know he was dying, and described their life together as a "fairytale". Irish actor Frank Kelly, best known for his role as a foul-mouthed priest in the sitcom Father Ted, died aged 77 on February 28. The actor, who survived bowel cancer in 2011 and underwent treatment for skin cancer in 2014, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last year. Why are so many celebrities dying in 2016?

GETTY Ronnie Corbett passed away in March after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year

To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee died aged 89 in her sleep at an assisted living facility. Her novel became one of the most beloved and most taught works of fiction ever written by an American. On January 31 beloved broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan died aged 77 after a "short but brave" battle with cancer. The TV favourite passed away surrounded by his family. January also saw the death of much-loved actor Alan Rickman, best-known for his roles in Harry Potter and Die Hard, at the age of 69 after battling with cancer. The world was shocked by the death of music legend David Bowie, who died of cancer on January 10. The superstar, who was one of the most influential musicians of his era, "died peacefully surrounded by his family" after a secret 18-month battle with the illness.

GETTY Actor Alan Rickman died in January, this year

WENN Paul Daniels died after suffering from an inoperable brain tumour

APRIL April 21 Prince, 57, musician and singer



Guy Hamilton, 93, Bond director April 20 Victoria Wood, British comedian, 62 Chyna, 46, ex-WWE wrestler April 17 Doris Roberts, 90, Everybody Loves Raymond actress April 13 Gareth Thomas, 71, Blake's 7 star April 12 David Gest, 62, reality TV star and music producer April 10 Howard Marks, 70, author and drug smuggler April 8 David Swift, 85, Drop the Dead Donkey actor April 6 Merle Haggard, 79, country music icon April 3 Erik Bakersfield, 93, Star Wars actor April 3 Andy Newman, 73, founding member of Thunderclap April 2 Leandro Barber, 83, Grammy-winning saxophonist

GETTY David Gest passed away on April 12, 2016