Tributes have been pouring in after it was announced that legendary UK guitarist Jeff Beck has sadly passed away.
His management confirmed he died at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis.
A statement announcing his death on social media yesterday reads: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday.
“His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”
On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss. pic.twitter.com/4dvt5aGzlv
Born Geoffrey Arnold Beck on 24 June 1944 in Wallington in Surrey, he first rose to prominence as a member of rock band The Yardbirds, before releasing his first solo single, Hi Ho Silver Lining, in 1969, and then switching to a mainly instrumental style in 1975.
ADVERTISEMENT
He has released genre-spanning music ranging from blues rock, hard rock, jazz fusion, and a blend of guitar-rock and electronica.
A truly revered musician, Beck earned wide critical praise throughout his career, and has received eight Grammy Awards, the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2014, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – one time as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992, and again as a solo artist in 2009.
ADVERTISEMENT
Many may also remember Beck released a collaborative album with Johnny Depp last year ahead of the Hollywood actor receiving the verdict of his defamation battle with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Legendary UK guitarist Jeff Beck has died at aged 78 / Credit: Jeff Beck (via Twitter)
Tributes to Beck following his sudden passing have been flooding in from some of the most famous names in the music industry.
ADVERTISEMENT
Johnny Marr, Mick Jagger, and Brian Wilson are just some of the names to offer condolonces.
The Smiths’ former guitarist Johnny Marr called Beck “a pioneer” and “one of the all time greats”, while Mick Jagger wrote on Twitter: “With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much.”
Brian Wilson, frontman of The Beach Boys, also wrote on Twitter: “I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013.
“One of the highlights we did was ‘Danny Boy’ – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family.”
With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7
“I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of Jeff Beck’s passing,” Ozzy Osbourne wrote on Twitter.
ADVERTISEMENT
“What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, Patient Number 9.
“Long live Jeff Beck.”
Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones also shared a tribute, which reads: “Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him.
“I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America.”
I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9. Long live #JeffBeckpic.twitter.com/hG6O9tzfij
🙏Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9
Pink Floyd’s frontman David Gilmour wrote in tribute: “I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years. Polly‘s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra. He will be forever in our hearts.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“I am saddened by the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” Donny Osmond wrote.
“Here’s a clip of a video I did with him in ‘85. It was this video that really paved the way for the success of my hit, Soldier of Love.
“I’ll always be grateful to Jeff for that opportunity. RIP, my friend.”
I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years. Polly‘s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra. He will be forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/369rHU7BCX
I am saddened by the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Here’s a clip of a video I did with him in ‘85. It was this video that really paved the way for the success of my hit, Soldier of Love.
I’ll always be grateful to Jeff for that opportunity.
Snoop Dogg says he wants to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef – and so do we
Danny Jones
With Gregg Wallace having been axed from MasterChef, one man has put himself forward to replace the long-standing presenter: Snoop Dogg.
Make that Snoop ‘Doggy’ Dogg, esquire and all-round foodie fancy pants, to you.
No, as we often feel we have to clarify sometimes, we’re not joking – the rapper and hip-hop legend apparently is very keen on the idea of becoming the next co-host of UK MasterChef.
It also goes without saying that we will never EVER get bored of writing headlines like these.
Credit: The Martha Stewart Show/BBC
Speaking to The Mirror, the 53-year-old music icon said, “You’ll best believe You better believe Snoop could be the new MasterChef judge.”
According to Snoop, his time working on Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party with well-known American cook, food writer and TV personality Martha Stewart means he already has prior experience and he also believes he has the backing of another big culinary name.
“My boy Gordon [Ramsay] judges on the US version of the show, and I know he would back me to be able to judge on the UK version”, he told the outlet, going on to add: “He knows I am not playing when it comes to food. He knows I can cook – I have even given him some tips.
“I hosted a cooking show over here and I have always been vocal about wanting to work on a UK show. I love the place – and for real, this could be the perfect opportunity.”
His bid to join the BBC show might be less likely than many others, but we’ve already seen how well getting familiar entertainment faces on works for the Celebrity version of the show, not to mention juicing up the comedy with less serious analysis as seen on Channel 4’s rebrand of The Great British Bake Off.
You can see a selection of Snoop’s on-screen cooking highlights here.
As for the latest on Wallace, he is still officially denying being involved in any inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature on the show and various other TV projects, with a total of 13 people filing official historical complaints against the long-standing host over the course of a 17-year period.
The 60-year-old is now accused not only of sexual comments in the workplace but groping and touching multiple former contestants and colleagues.
Despite sticking to his official position he has, however, come out to apologise for a response video he made following the second raft of allegations, in which his comments were deemed offensive and misogynistic by a Downing Street official.
We’re confident we already know the answer, so we’ll ask you this instead: just how much do you want to see Snoop Dogg presenting the next series of MasterChef?
Keely Hodgkinson, Sarah Storey, Luke Littler and more shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Danny Jones
The North West and Greater Manchester specifically have notched multiple nods ahead of the year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.
2023’s recipient Mary Earps had local ties as Manchester United Women’s no.1 and this year even more Manc names or those associated with the city have been named on the shortlist of nominees.
Following standout performances at Paris 2024, native Olympic and Paralympic athletes Keely Hodgkinson and Dame Sarah Storey have both earned a place among this year’s frontrunners, as well as Warrington-born dart sensation Luke Littler, whose breakthrough year sparked a phenomenon.
That’s three of the top six from our region alone. Get in.
Here are the nominees for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024!
⭐ Jude Bellingham ⭐ Keely Hodgkinson ⭐ Luke Littler ⭐ Joe Root ⭐ Sarah Storey ⭐ Alex Yee
Atherton-born Hodgkinson, still only 22, earned her first-ever Olympic gold back in the summer and her first thought wasn’t to celebrate and put her feet but go and smash the world record next time. Big murals were erected in her honour both in Manchester city centre and back over Wigan way.
Dame Sarah Storey’s career is one that has long deserved much more recognition, notching medal after medal first in swimming and now in cycling, with no sign of slowing down even at 47. An inspiration to any aspiring athlete, let alone one with an impairment, and was rightly given special recognition by MMU earlier this year.
And Luke Littler’s story needs very little explanation: the 16-year-old with ability way beyond his year that he helped draw an entirely new crowd to the world of darts, winning multiple titles in his first year as a so-called ‘senior’ player on the pro tour. If we’re talking strictly personality, he’s got plenty of that too.
Others shortlisted included England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, England’s record run-scorer Test cricketer Joe Root, as well Olympic triathlete Alex Yee. We also think this man should be on the list again but his time will come, we’re certain of it.
And he’s done it! Kevin Sinfield has completed Day 7 of his Ultra marathon challenge in memory of his friend and rugby league legend Rob Burrow & the whole #MND community. pic.twitter.com/3vnjuVKXg9
The 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year takes place on Tuesday, 17 December, with voting taking place during the show which will be broadcast on BBC One and online via BBC iPlayer.
The programme – once again presented by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Clare Balding from over in MediaCityUK, Salford Quays – will begin at 7pm and conclude around 9pm after the winner is announced.
Who do you think should win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024?
Emily Sergeant -
12th January 2023 
