August 2026 witnessed the passing of eight notable public figures, including iconic singer Dolly Parton, actor Tim Curry, and actress Hayden Panettiere, alongside two footballers with Midland connections, a European monarch, and a rugby league legend. The deaths prompted tributes from around the globe, with figures from music, sport, and politics honouring their legacies.
Music and Acting Losses
Dolly Parton, 80, died on August 25 following a brief battle with cancer, as announced by her family. The singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist was one of the biggest stars in country music history, earning 10 Grammy Awards and selling more than 100 million records worldwide. Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said: “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre surrounded by loved ones.” Tributes from Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce detailed her impact as both a musician and a humanitarian. Landmarks across the US, including the Empire State Building in New York, the Willis Tower in Chicago, and the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel in Los Angeles, were lit up pink in her honour. Her best-known hits included 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You, and Jolene.
On the same day, English actor Tim Curry, 80, died at his Los Angeles home. His long-time manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz confirmed the news, though no cause of death was given. Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012, leaving his left side paralysed, but continued to work in voice acting and appeared at film conventions. Susan Sarandon, his co-star in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, described him as “funny, sexy, original” in an Instagram tribute. She wrote: “What a funny, sexy, original he was. But what I loved about him most was his heart. Even wheelchair bound he continued to be so sweet and generous with his fans. Thank you Tim for meaning so much to so many people. Love you, S.”
Sporting Icons and Royalty
In sport, former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Quévin Castro died aged 25 on August 22 after collapsing during a friendly match between his current club, third-tier Portuguese side Real Sport Clube, and Estrela da Amadora. Castro made two senior appearances for the Baggies during a two-year spell at The Hawthorns, making his debut against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in 2021. West Brom said: “West Brom are devastated to learn of the untimely passing of Quevin Castro, aged just 25. The thoughts of everyone at Albion are with Quevin’s loved ones at this desperately sad time.” He had loan spells at Burton, Notts County, and Gateshead before joining York in 2023.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer died on August 14 at the age of 78. Rimmer was ever-present as Villa were crowned champions of England in 1981 but was forced off with a neck injury after only nine minutes as the team won the European Cup the following year, beating Bayern Munich 1-0 in the final in Rotterdam. Villa said: “Aston Villa is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of European Cup winner Jimmy Rimmer, who has died at the age of 78. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Jimmy’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. Rimmer was one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, and arguably one of the unluckiest when it came to big occasions. Despite collecting two European Cup winner’s medals, he wasn’t on the pitch at the end of either final.” The one-cap England international was replaced in the final by Nigel Spink, and he was sold to Swansea in 1983 after making more than 200 appearances for Villa.
Rugby league great Sir Billy Boston died on August 24 at the age of 92, just four days after the funeral of his wife, Lady Joan. Prime Minister Burnham led tributes, writing on X: “Heartbroken to hear my friend Sir Billy Boston has died. Billy was one of the greatest rugby league players of all time but also one of the kindest and most down-to-earth people you could ever wish to meet. He always had time for people and gave so much to back to his adopted home, Wigan. I will miss him greatly and am thinking today of Billy’s family, still grieving the recent loss of his beloved wife Joan. A giant of a man in every way. Thank you, Billy, and rest in peace.” Born in Cardiff, Boston signed for Wigan in 1953 and scored 478 tries in 488 appearances. He received a knighthood from King Charles in June 2025, becoming the first rugby league player to receive the honour in the sport’s 130-year history.
King Harald V of Norway died on August 28 at the age of 89, with his son automatically becoming King Haakon VIII. In a statement from Buckingham Palace, King Charles said: “It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway. For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility. As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades.”
Other Notable Deaths
Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, died on August 16 at the age of 36. A representative for the US actress said her family would remember her as an “incredible light” who brought “immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her”. Viola Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 film Custody, shared a tribute on Instagram, saying: “What an amazing talent you were….so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name…”
Former BBC Radio 4 Today programme editor Rod Liddle died on August 2 at the age of 66. Former presenter John Humphrys remembered him as “one of a kind” on Radio 4’s PM show, saying: “He was an extraordinary journalist, a remarkable man, an utterly brilliant and bonkers editor. You never ever knew what to expect from Rod, but my god he had a brain, and he lived radio, live radio, he loved the job, which makes it all the more bizarre, in one sense, that he effectively sacked himself from being editor of the Today programme – but that’s Rod for you. He was one of a kind, and if you thought you knew what to expect from him on a particular story or event, or whatever it happened to be, you would almost certainly be wrong because he would almost certainly have different ideas. And they would almost always, not always, but almost always, be far better than yours. He was inspirational in the best sense of the word… I mean, he was funny, he had a wonderful sense of humour, it drove him mad at times, but the number of times he got sacked and the number of times he sacked me, well, I think it’s probably about equal, really.” Liddle had been a high-profile columnist for The Sunday Times, The Sun, and The Spectator, and hosted a Times Radio show.
