It has been a devastating 12 months for the celebrity world and equally for fans as many renowned artists, actors and writers sadly died in 2016.

This year has seen a string of deaths in the entertainment industry which shook the world unexpectedly, some of whom had links to west London such as Acton born actor, Alan Rickman .

From Wembley arena performers such as Prince to former London residents like David Bowie, we take a look back at the huge talents we have lost in 2016.

Carrie Fisher, Actress

Carrie Fisher attends "The Handmaiden (Mademoiselle)" premiere during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals in May 2016 (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

The actress, best known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, died aged 60 on Tuesday December 27 .

Tributes to the marvellous actress who spoke openly about her mental health included words from Stephen Fry, who said she was the "sweetest person he knew".

She suffered a cardiac arrest on a flight from Heathrow to LA and despite being in intensive care for a few days, passed away three days later.

It was reported that the actress has completed her scenes on the yet untitled Star War: Episode 8.

Alan Rickman, Actor

Alan Rickman stars alongside Helena Bonham Carter in Harry Potter

The many wonderful roles played by Alan Rickman , who was born in Acton and lived in Hammersmith, include Harry Potter's Severus Snape, Harry in Love Actually and Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

The Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves actor died of pancreatic cancer on January 14.

Writer of the Harry Potter books, JK Rowling, said she will remember him as a "magnificent actor and wonderful man".

In a tribute at the time of his death, Latymer Upper School in King Street near Hammersmith wrote on its website: "We are shocked and so saddened by the death of Alan Rickman - a great actor and true Latymerian.

"Alan arrived at Latymer Upper School on a scholarship in 1956.

"It was in the School’s Main Hall that the young Alan first trod the boards, treating his audience to lively performances in many a school play.

"These shows sparked a love of drama that would shape his life to come."

David Bowie , Singer

Where to begin with the legend that is David Bowie? After his death on January 10 from liver cancer, the world paid tributes with parties and gatherings to celebrate the musical gifts Bowie gave to his fans.

Events are already being planned for the one year anniversary of his death in January across London , including concerts to remember his spectacular west London performances including shows at the Hammersmith Appollo.

Following his death, fans remembered the time he retired his much loved alter-ego Ziggy Stardust in Hammersmith .

3rd July 1973: David Bowie on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon in London at the last of the Ziggy Stardust concerts. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)

Christina Hollis was a 13-year-old Bristol schoolgirl at the time and remembered the mood after the show.

She told getwestlondon earlier this year: “The following day at school it was almost like a bereavement.

"Everyone was silent. It was like someone had stolen the fairy off the top of the Christmas tree. It was dreadful, so quiet.

“I remember BBC Radio 1 had nothing but ‘Bowie quits’ news while I was getting ready for school. I was stunned, carrying my transistor radio around the house.

"In a rage my mum grabbed it and switched to Radio 2, but it was headline news there too so she couldn’t escape.”

David Bowie in concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, during the last performance he made in the guise of his character Ziggy Stardust (Pic: Graham Wood/Getty Images)

Liz Smith, Actress

Liz Smith with her co-stars in popular television show Royle Family

Aged 95, the familiar face from the British sitcom the Royle Family and Vicar of Dibley died on Christmas Eve.

The BAFTA winning actress had retired in 2009 after a suffering from a series of strokes.

Ricky Tomlinson, who starred opposite her in the Royle Family, said she was "fascinating".

Muhammad Ali, Boxer

Muhammad Ali attends the Sports For Peace Fundraising Ball at The V&A on July 25, 2012

The world famous American boxer died on June 3, aged 74.

Formerly world heavyweight champion, the activist had been suffering from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson's disease.

At the time of Ali's death, President Barack Obama had said Ali had "shook up the world and the world is better for it".

Muhammad Ali put on a boxing masterclass when he beat Brian London at Earls Court Arena in 1966

"The greatest of all times", boxing idol and media star Muhammad Ali visited west London on a number of occasions.

He took a break from training in 1966 in White City before his fight with British boxer Henry Cooper.

Gene Wilder, Actor

Gene Wilder signs a copy of his new book in New York

The actor, who played the enchantingly mysterious Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, died after suffering from complications due to Alzhemier's disease.

When the news came on August 29, it was revealed that Wilder, who was was 83 and also famous for his roles in Mel Brooks comedies, kept his disease a secret so as not to worry or confuse fans.

Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird author

Pulitzer Prize winner and "To Kill A Mockingbird" author Harper Lee (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The renowned writer who wrote the well known literary novel To Kill A Mockingbird passed away in her sleep on February 19.

The 89-year-old's novel sold more than 40 million copies and was later followed up by Go Set a Watchman the year before her death.

Leonard Cohen, Singer

Canadian singer Leonard Cohen performs during the Nice Jazz Festival (Photo: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)

The Canadian singer songwriter died on November 7 at his LA home, aged 82, although the circumstances were not explained at the time.

Cohen's manager, Robert Kory, said his death was unexpected, but it was later revealed he died from a fall.

His 14th album, You Want It Darker, was released in October and got a solid five stars from reviewers including the New York Times.

Richard Adams, Watership Down Author

English novelist Richard Adams holding a pet mouse, 3rd March 1974. (Photo by Tom Smith/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The author of the popular children's book which was loved by young and old alike, died aged 96.

A statement on the book’s official website said: "Richard’s much-loved family announce with sadness that their dear father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at 10pm on Christmas Eve."

The book received a huge amount of critical acclaim over the years, getting the Adams the Carnegie medal and the Guardian children’s prize.

Prince, Musician

Musician Prince performs onstage at the 36th Annual NAACP Image Awards in LA (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The musical legend's death was yet another shock to music lovers in April.

Aged 57, the singer's autopsy showed he died of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl.

His talents spanned decades of songwriting and production, as well as acting, appearing in his silver screen debut, Purple Rain, in 1984.

With a history of performing in Wembley on several occasions, fans recalled their experiences of watching him.

Prince Musician Pop Star on stage performing with backing singers and dancers in Wembley

Fan André Langlois saw Prince twice at Wembley in the 1990s. He first discovered Prince as a teenager "falling in love with the 1980s classics and the early 1990s hits like Cream and Sexy MF".

"I saw Prince perform live during one of his many difficult phases, when in fact he wasn't even Prince," Mr Langlois said.

"In 1995 he was deep in a dispute with Warner Brothers about the ownership of his music and had changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol.

"Most newspapers used 'TAFKAP' (the artist formerly known as Prince)."

"The opener, Endorphinmachine, was a pile driving reminder of what a great guitarist he was and the excitement never let up."

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