2016: Those who have said goodbye to us this year

But as we wake up to a new year, here's a chance to remember those who said goodbye to us over the past 12 months.

JANUARY

David Bowie: Only 10 days into 2016 the world was rocked with the announcement David Bowie at passed away aged just 69.

The Starman was mourned across the globe. He passed away just three days after releasing his 25th studio album and kept his 18-month battle with cancer so private that even close friends weren't aware of his struggle.

Alan Rickman: Most famous for playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. Rickman passed away after a battle with cancer on January 14 aged 69.

At the time, author JK Rowling lead the tributes, saying: "There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor and a wonderful man."

Sir Terry Wogan: The Irish radio and television broadcaster left us on January 31 aged 77. 

Sir Terry was a leading media personality in Britain and Ireland from the late 1960s and was often referred to as a 'national treasure'.

In addition to his weekday radio show, he was known for his work on television, including the BBC One chat show Wogan, presenting Children in Need, the game show Blankety Blank and Come Dancing.

FEBRUARY

Harper Lee: The To Kill a Mockingbird author died on February 19 aged 89.

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 his role as Father Jack in comedy Father Ted, Kelly died aged 77. He had an illustrious career which spanned across six decades on stage and screen.

MARCH

Tony Warren: The Coronation Street creator died on March 1 aged 79. The world’s longest-running TV serial for the first time gave viewers the authentic voices and speech patterns of those who lived in the north of England, as well as a wry humour that became more prominent over the years.​

Ronnie Corbett: 'The small man with the huge talent', Ronnie Corbett, the comedian best known for his appearances alongside Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies in the 1970s and 80s, died on March 31 aged 85.

APRIL

Victoria Wood: The comedian died aged 62 on April 20.

Her publicist said the star "died peacefully at her north London home with family" after a short battle with cancer.

Wood found fame in the 1980s and was best known for her BBC sketch Acorn Antiques and comedy Dinnerladies.

Prince: Pop megastar Prince passed away at the age of 57 on April 21.

Autopsy results released in June revealed the musical genius behind Purple Rain and Little Red Corvette died due to an accidental fentanyl overdose.

MAY

Carla Lane: Writer of The Liver Birds, Carla Lane, passed away aged 87.

Born Romana Barrack, Lane was the brain behind many sitcoms, including Butterflies and Bread.

JUNE

Clive Stone: The then Prime Minster David Cemron led tributes to Oxfordshire cancer drugs campaigner Clive Stone, who died aged 68.

Mr Cameron described Mr Stone as "an inspiration" after his family confirmed he passed away peacefully at his Eynsham home on June 2.

A champion of patients' rights, the grandfather-of-two played a key role in setting up the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund and battled 39 brain tumours himself after being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2007.

The drugs fund – launched in 2010 – has enabled some 80,000 patients to access treatments not otherwise available through the NHS.

Muhammad Ali: The world mourned after the news broke that 'The Greatest' had passed away aged 74 on June 3.

The three-time world heavyweight champion had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984.  In Abingdon, Paddy Monaghan, a former bare knuckle fighter said he was "like a brother" Ali.

Ali visited the council estate on some 20 occasions. Mr Monaghan's son, Tyrone, who was picture sparring with the boxer in his back yard said he was family to them.

JULY

Caroline Aherne: The comedian, Royle Family actress and writer died aged 52 on July 2. 

Ken Barrie: The voice of Postman Pat passed away aged 83 on July 29.

AUGUST

Kenny Baker: The man behind R2-D2 died aged 81 on August 13.

The 3ft 8in tall performer's most iconic role was of fan favourite R2-D2 in the Star Wars movie series. Baker appeared in the first six films, playing the role from 1977 to 2005.

Gene Wilder: Most famous for playing the magical Willy Wonka. Wilder left us aged aged 83 on August 29.

The film adaption of Roald Dahl's classic childhood book has stood the test of time since it was released in 1971. 

SEPTEMBER

Arnold Palmer: The golf legend who won seven majors, passed away onSeptember 25 aged 87.

He drew thousands of fans to the game in the 1950s and 1960s and his keen fan base earned the moniker 'Arnie's Army'. He was also nicknamed 'The King'.

OCTOBER

Jean Alexander: The Hilda Ogden star of Coronation Street died on October 14 aged 90.

She was not only portrayed one of the most-loved British soap opera characters of all time but featured in one of the most popular sitcoms, Last of the Summer Wine, for many years as Auntie Wainwright.

Pete Burns: The Dead or Alive hitmaker died of a heart attack on October 23 aged 57.

The pop star enjoyed a second career in the world of reality TV - starring in Celebrity Big Brother 2006.

NOVEMBER

Leonard Cohen: The Canadian singer who penned the classic song Hallelujah, was announced on November 11 aged 82. He was also a songwriter and a poet.

DECEMBER

Andrew Sachs: Best known for playing Spanish waiter Manual in Fawlty Towers, Sachs' death was announced on December 1. He was 86.

AA Gill: Sunday Times journalist Gill died aged 62 on December 10.

Zsa Zsa Gabor: Hollywood actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor passed away on December 18 following a heart attack, aged 99.

Rick Parfitt: The Status Quo guitarist passed away aged 68 on Christmas Eve.

Liz Smith: Most famous for playing Nana in The Royle Family. Smith, who also played the eccentric baker Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley, died aged 95 on Christmas Eve.

George Michael: On Christmas Day the world lost pop icon George Michael aged 53.

Floral tributes were laid at his Oxfordshire home.

Police were called to the singer's Goring home at 2pm. His death is being classed as unexplained but not suspicious.

The 53-year-old, who was set to release a documentary in 2017, rose to fame as a member of Wham!, known for their hits Club Tropicana and Last Christmas.

Michael - whose real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.

Carrie Fisher: The Star Wars Princess Leia died aged 60 on December 27, four days after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles.

She will be remembered by her millions of fans, not just for her work on the big screen, but for her prowess as an eloquent writer and being quick-witted and refreshingly honest in interviews.

Debbie Reynolds: The Singing in the Rain star passes away just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher.

The US actress, 84, had been rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke.

Her son, Todd Fisher, said the stress of his sister's death had been too much for her and in her last words, she had said she wanted to be with Carrie.