Among the many great talents we lost in 2024 were actor Donald Sutherland, record producer Quincy Jones, footballer Franz Beckenbauer and tragically, One Direction singer Liam Payne. And similarly, Yorkshire lost some of its number one sons and daughters in 2024. Of the Yorkshiremen and Yorkshirewoman who died this year there was a bestselling author, a professional wrestler, a rugby player and campaigner, two actors, a British Army general and a political colossus.
Some lived in Yorkshire for most of their lives. Others had the privilege of being born in God’s Own Country only to leave shortly afterwards. Some weren’t born in the White Rose County but they made their careers here which means they will always be associated with Yorkshire.
Here are – in alphabetical order – the Yorkshiremen, Yorkshirewomen and honorary Yorkshire people who passed away this year. Taylor Bradford was born in Armley, Leeds, in 1933. Alongside fellow future writer Alan Bennett, she attended Christ Church Upper Armley CE Primary School.
Taylor Bradford began her writing career as a journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post before becoming fashion editor of Woman’s Own in London. In 1979, she released her debut novel Women of Substance which sold more than 30m copies worldwide. Taylor Bradford wrote 40 novels, mostly about woman from humble backgrounds succeeding in business.
Her 1986 novel An Act of Will was a fictionalised account of her parents’ marriage. Taylor Bradford remained marr.
