Obituaries
Actor Carl Weathers, best known for starring in Rocky and Predator, dies aged 76
Carl Weathers, the actor famous for playing Apollo Creed in the ‘Rocky’ films, has died aged 76. In a statement announcing the news, his family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers.
IN PICTURES: Fans leave heartfelt tributes to Trevor Francis outside Birmingham City FC
Fans of former Blues player Trevor Francis have been leaving tributes outside Birmingham City football club all week long. Trevor Francis sadly passed away on Monday 24 July, and fans have been visiting St Andrews – the home of Birmingham City FC – and paying their respects to the legendary footballer.
First woman Commons Speaker and former West Bromwich MP Betty Boothroyd dies
Betty Boothroyd, who made political history in 1993 when she became the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons, has died aged 93. Boothroyd, a working-class northerner from Yorkshire, had a remarkable and varied career as a Tiller Girls dancer, an MP for West Bromwich and serving as a baroness in the House of…
Architect behind The Rep theatre in Birmingham passes away aged 99
The architect behind The Rep theatre in Broad Street, Birmingham, has sadly passed away over weekend aged 99. Architect Graham Winteringhgam, who had a life-long relationship with The Rep which included cutting the red ribbon last year when the refurbished theatre reopened, was just short of his 100th birthday which was due to take place…
Birmingham Musical Youth drummer of ‘Pass the Dutchie’ fame dies aged 55
Frederick Waite, the former drummer of Birmingham reggae group Musical Youth, has died aged 55. Waite, aged 55, apparently died on 20 July, but the news of his death was only announced today (11 August) in a Twitter post by Musical Youth.
Thousands attend funeral prayer paying tribute to teenage boxer Ali Tazeem from Birmingham
Aston Park was heaving with thousands of mourners on Friday to pay their final respects to gifted young boxer Ali Tazeem who tragically died in a car crash on Easter Sunday in Wolverhampton. Ali Tazeem’s family and friends were also in attendance in Aston Park as prayers were offered up for the 18-year-old boxing prodigy…
Tributes paid to prominent Birmingham HIV activist Tom Matthews, who has died age 74
Tributes have been paid to a prominent Birmingham-based HIV activist and peer mentor who died earlier this month. Tom Matthews, 74, who was one of the founders of the HIV charity ABplus, died on Wednesday 2 February after surviving acute HIV-related health struggles for several decades.