American Idol star Debra Byrd dies aged 72 as Jennifer Hudson leads tributes

CBeebies icon Kay Benbow has passed away aged just 63.

CBeebies legend Kay Benbow has passed away aged 63. Kay was CBeebies controller from 2010 until 2017, during which time the network won the BAFTA Children's Channel of the Year five times. Following the sad news, the BBC released a statement, which read: "Everyone in the BBC Children’s & Education department is incredibly sad to hear the news that Kay Benbow has passed away.

A Complete Unknown, in which he plays Bob Dylan.Yeah, the guy your dad loves!This content can also be viewed on the site it from.Set in the downtown NYC music scene of the '60s, the film features an ensemble cast of buzzy young actors, many of whom will be playing now-famous musicians. Think Patti Smith's Just Kids meets Inside Llewyn Davis.

American Idol has provided a platform for so much talent, from Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood to Jennifer Hudson – but that doesn’t mean they always get it right.

Jennifer Hudson, who guest starred on NBC’s Smash, is now joining the producing team of its upcoming stage musical adaptation.

General Hospital's Robyn Bernard has died aged 64 after a glistening TV career.The legendary General Hospital star, known for playing character Terry Brock for 145 episodes until 1990, was found dead in the early morning hours of March 5, according to TMZ. According to reports, authorities were called to a 'death investigation' last week in San Jacinto and Bernard's body was identified using her fingerprints, according to the Riverside County Coroner.They explained that a cause of death is not yet confirmed and that her autopsy was due to take place later on Wednesday, March 13.Toxicology is set to take several weeks, the outlet reports.Tributes quickly poured in from beloved fans online who mourned the death of the actress. One fan wrote on social media: "It has been a rough year for General Hospital.

Karl Wallinger, a star of The Waterboys and World Party, has sadly passed away at the age of 66.The musician's publicist confirmed that he died on Sunday (March 12). Karl, who was born in Wales, formed World Party in 1986 after leaving The Waterboys.Their debut album, Private Revolution, included popular songs like Ship Of Fools.They released several more albums, with their fourth, Egyptology, featuring the track She's The One.This song was later covered by Robbie Williams and reached number one on the UK charts in 1999. In 2001, Karl had a brain aneurysm which paused his career for a few years.

Eric Carmen, the singer of 'All By Myself' and frontman of the Raspberries, has sadly passed away at the age of 74.

Two days after the news broke that American Idol vocal coach Debra Byrd had died, one of her most successful students has paid tribute.

American Idol, The Voice, Canadian Idol, Military Idol and Majors and Minors, and personally coached the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan.She died in Los Angeles on Tuesday (March 5), with no cause of death given.Reacting to the news, Hudson – who rose to fame as a finalist in the 2004 season of American Idol – wrote: “Heartbroken over the passing of Debra Byrd, the vocal coach on American Idol. She encouraged and supported us from the very beginning!”“I am so grateful for everything she taught us.

Debra Byrd, a vocal coach for such shows as American Idol, Canadian Idol, Military Idol, The Voice, Majors and Minors, and others, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 5. She was 72 and no cause or location was given.

The X Factor 2018 finalist Scarlett Lee has only gone and auditioned for American Idol. Six years after finishing as runner-up in Simon Cowell's UK singing competition, which saw Dalton Harris showered with confetti at the time, 26-year-old Scarlett looked a different person while covering 'Clown' by Emeli Sandé infront of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan recently. Gone was her dark fake tan, but she did once again opt for a red dress for the occasion.

“American Idol” judge Perry appeared to cringe after one contestant took a massive gamble and sang the pop star’s 2008 hit “I Kissed a Girl” during Sunday night’s episode. The bold and rather theatrical cover of Perry’s debut single came when Massachusetts native Madaí ChaKell strutted into the audition room and declared to Perry, 39, and co-judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan that she planned to “get into your bag today.” ChaKell’s comment surprised Perry, who went on to watch the singer — who said she’d been part of an unnamed Broadway musical’s touring company — give a very active performance. At one point, the “Hot N Cold” songstress could be seen raising her eyebrows in disbelief and covering her mouth with her hand as the “Idol” hopeful continued to dance around.

Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers has passed away at the age of 66, less than two years after revealing his cancer diagnosis.His death was announced by co-star and best friend, Si King, who said he was with Myers when he died “peacefully at home” on Wednesday, February 28His wife, Lillian, his family and close friend David were also “by his side,” King said in a statement on X/Twitter.“All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing,” wrote King. “His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.“Personally, I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment. My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can’t follow.

TV chef Dave Myers, best known as one-half of the Hairy Bikers, has died at the age of 66, according to a statement from his co-star Si King on social media.

Curb Your Enthusiasm, has died at the age of 76.Lewis’s publicist confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Lewis had passed away from a heart attack on February 28 at his home in Los Angeles.Lewis retired from stand-up comedy last year after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, he was continuing to appear in Curb Your Enthusiasm’s twelfth and final season, which began airing on HBO earlier this month.In a statement, HBO said: “We are heartbroken to learn that Richard Lewis has passed away. His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched.

Robert Pattinson in the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time, has died at the age of 38.The news was confirmed by his brother Christopher Stathis in a statement released to People yesterday (February 27), who confirmed that he died from a “cardiac arrest from a drug cocktail” in November 2023.Duress made his acting debut in the Safdie Brothers’ previous film Heaven Knows What in 2014, after meeting Josh Safdie shortly after his release from Rikers Island prison in the Bronx, New York.Deeply sad to find out Buddy Duress passed away. Without exaggeration, he’s the best performer in Good Time, second only to Robert Pattinson himself.

country music legend Loretta Lynn, auditioned for “American Idol” on Sunday’s episode of the ABC music competition show, surprising the judges. Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan seemed to be in the dark about her impressive family tree — at first. “Growing up, I sang music my entire life,” Russell said.

Marvel and Star Trek actor Kenneth Mitchell has passed away aged 49.The news of the actor’s death due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) was announced by his family over the weekend.“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” they said in a statement.They added: “For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment, to living a full and joyous life in each moment.A post shared by Kenneth Mitchell (@mr_kenneth_mitchell)“He lived by the principals that each day is a gift and we never walk alone.

Emmy Russell faced the American Idol judges on Sunday night’s (February 25) episode!