Mourning the loss of Doctor Who actor (90) and Thin Lizzy guitarist (65)
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Losses in the entertainment world are always felt deeply, especially when they involve individuals whose talents have left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.
Recent news has brought sadness to fans of music and television alike, with two beloved figures leaving behind legacies that will not be forgotten.
Their stories are a testament to the profound impact that passion and creativity can have across generations.
Legendary actor Christopher Benjamin passed away at the age of 90.
The beloved star, renowned for his roles in Doctor Who and Poldark, was mourned in a heartfelt post shared on social media.
‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Christopher Benjamin, at the age of 90, on the 10 January,’ Lisa Bowerman announced on social media.
Born on December 27, 1934, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, Benjamin’s remarkable career spanned seventy years, covering theatre, radio, television, and film.
‘One of the few remaining "old school" actors, he had a huge and extensive career spanning seventy years, encompassing theatre, radio, TV and film,’ Bowerman wrote.
In the 1960s, Benjamin established himself with appearances in hit television series such as The Avengers, Z Cars, The Saint, and The Forsyte Saga.
During the 1970s, he captivated audiences with roles in Ace of Wands, Upstairs Downstairs, and Father Brown. Later in his career, he added Pride and Prejudice, Treasure Island, and The Tomorrow People to his extensive list of credits.
Benjamin’s final role was in 2008, where he appeared alongside David Tennant in Doctor Who during the episode The Unicorn and the Wasp.
Tributes to the late actor have poured in on social media.
Publishing agency Fantom Events & Publishing honoured Benjamin, stating: ‘We’re very sad to hear the news of the passing of legendary actor Christopher Benjamin.’
‘Chris graced many productions with his talent, and we were very fortunate to work with him on numerous occasions and it was always a pleasure. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.’
Benjamin is survived by his wife, actress Anna Fox, whom he married in 1960, and their three children.
The music world mourned the loss of another legend, John Sykes, the celebrated guitarist from Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake.
Like Christopher Benjamin, whose unforgettable contributions spanned decades, Sykes left an indelible mark on his craft, earning admiration for his exceptional talent and passion.
John Sykes, the renowned guitarist of Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake passed away at the age of 65 following ‘a hard-fought battle with cancer’.
A statement described him as ‘a man with exceptional musical talent’ and praised his kindness and charisma.
‘In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years. While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood sombre, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.’
Born on 29 July 1959 in Reading, Berkshire, Sykes spent part of his childhood in Ibiza before returning to England, where he discovered his passion for guitar.
He cited guitar legends Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore as key influences and began his musical journey with the band Streetfighter after his family settled in Blackpool.
Sykes joined the metal band Tygers of Pan Tang but left after two years in 1982 to play with Thin Lizzy.
His contributions shaped the band’s shift towards a heavier metal sound, most notably on their final album, Thunder and Lightning, released in 1983.
After the death of frontman Phil Lynott in 1986, Thin Lizzy disbanded.
David Coverdale, the frontman of Whitesnake, later invited Sykes to join the band.
Sykes debuted on the 1984 album Slide It In, which achieved US success and contributed to the band’s self-titled 1987 album.
However, tensions between Sykes and Coverdale grew.
‘David said nothing to any of us about having decided to kick us out of the band,’ Sykes revealed in 2017.
He recounted an attempted confrontation, claiming: ‘Honest to God, he ran away, got in his car and hid from me!’
The two never reconciled, with Sykes later stating: ‘I really have no interest in ever talking to him again.’
Sykes went on to form Blue Murder alongside Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice.
Their 1989 self-titled debut and 1993 follow-up, Nothin’ But Trouble, were met with limited success.
Sykes then pursued a solo career, releasing four studio albums.
Paying tribute, Appice said: ‘I loved him like a brother.’
David Coverdale expressed his shock at the news, while Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also honoured Sykes on social media.
Sykes married Jennifer Brooks Sykes in 1989, divorcing a decade later.
He is survived by his three sons, James, John Jr, and Sean.
The passing of Christopher Benjamin and John Sykes serves as a poignant reminder of the incredible impact that creativity and dedication can have on generations of fans.
Both men left behind legacies that will continue to inspire and resonate, their talents immortalised through the works they brought to life.
Rest in peace, Christopher and John.
Recent news has brought sadness to fans of music and television alike, with two beloved figures leaving behind legacies that will not be forgotten.
Their stories are a testament to the profound impact that passion and creativity can have across generations.
Legendary actor Christopher Benjamin passed away at the age of 90.
The beloved star, renowned for his roles in Doctor Who and Poldark, was mourned in a heartfelt post shared on social media.
‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Christopher Benjamin, at the age of 90, on the 10 January,’ Lisa Bowerman announced on social media.
Born on December 27, 1934, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, Benjamin’s remarkable career spanned seventy years, covering theatre, radio, television, and film.
‘One of the few remaining "old school" actors, he had a huge and extensive career spanning seventy years, encompassing theatre, radio, TV and film,’ Bowerman wrote.
In the 1960s, Benjamin established himself with appearances in hit television series such as The Avengers, Z Cars, The Saint, and The Forsyte Saga.
During the 1970s, he captivated audiences with roles in Ace of Wands, Upstairs Downstairs, and Father Brown. Later in his career, he added Pride and Prejudice, Treasure Island, and The Tomorrow People to his extensive list of credits.
Benjamin’s final role was in 2008, where he appeared alongside David Tennant in Doctor Who during the episode The Unicorn and the Wasp.
Tributes to the late actor have poured in on social media.
Publishing agency Fantom Events & Publishing honoured Benjamin, stating: ‘We’re very sad to hear the news of the passing of legendary actor Christopher Benjamin.’
‘Chris graced many productions with his talent, and we were very fortunate to work with him on numerous occasions and it was always a pleasure. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.’
Benjamin is survived by his wife, actress Anna Fox, whom he married in 1960, and their three children.
The music world mourned the loss of another legend, John Sykes, the celebrated guitarist from Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake.
Like Christopher Benjamin, whose unforgettable contributions spanned decades, Sykes left an indelible mark on his craft, earning admiration for his exceptional talent and passion.
John Sykes, the renowned guitarist of Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake passed away at the age of 65 following ‘a hard-fought battle with cancer’.
A statement described him as ‘a man with exceptional musical talent’ and praised his kindness and charisma.
‘In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years. While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood sombre, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.’
Born on 29 July 1959 in Reading, Berkshire, Sykes spent part of his childhood in Ibiza before returning to England, where he discovered his passion for guitar.
He cited guitar legends Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore as key influences and began his musical journey with the band Streetfighter after his family settled in Blackpool.
Sykes joined the metal band Tygers of Pan Tang but left after two years in 1982 to play with Thin Lizzy.
His contributions shaped the band’s shift towards a heavier metal sound, most notably on their final album, Thunder and Lightning, released in 1983.
After the death of frontman Phil Lynott in 1986, Thin Lizzy disbanded.
David Coverdale, the frontman of Whitesnake, later invited Sykes to join the band.
Sykes debuted on the 1984 album Slide It In, which achieved US success and contributed to the band’s self-titled 1987 album.
However, tensions between Sykes and Coverdale grew.
‘David said nothing to any of us about having decided to kick us out of the band,’ Sykes revealed in 2017.
He recounted an attempted confrontation, claiming: ‘Honest to God, he ran away, got in his car and hid from me!’
The two never reconciled, with Sykes later stating: ‘I really have no interest in ever talking to him again.’
Sykes went on to form Blue Murder alongside Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice.
Their 1989 self-titled debut and 1993 follow-up, Nothin’ But Trouble, were met with limited success.
Sykes then pursued a solo career, releasing four studio albums.
Paying tribute, Appice said: ‘I loved him like a brother.’
David Coverdale expressed his shock at the news, while Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also honoured Sykes on social media.
Sykes married Jennifer Brooks Sykes in 1989, divorcing a decade later.
He is survived by his three sons, James, John Jr, and Sean.
The passing of Christopher Benjamin and John Sykes serves as a poignant reminder of the incredible impact that creativity and dedication can have on generations of fans.
Both men left behind legacies that will continue to inspire and resonate, their talents immortalised through the works they brought to life.
Rest in peace, Christopher and John.
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