The Welsh sporting, music, and political worlds were rocked in 2024 as we said goodbye to several high-profile figures. We remember people who have sadly died over the past 12 months including two of the great Welsh rugby legends of all time.

The year started with the sad news that JPR Williams had died aged 74 after a short illness. Part of the golden era of Welsh rugby in the 1970s Williams was capped 55 times for his country and represented the British and Irish Lions on eight occasions over two tours.

He captained Wales and played a significant part in a succession of Grand Slams and Triple Crowns in the heyday of Welsh rugby. The full-back was instantly recognisable with a distinct running style, socks around his ankles, and long sideburns to boot. Read more about the courageous rugby hero here.

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The following month it was announced that legendary former Cardiff, Wales, and British and Irish Lions fly-half Barry John had died in hospital aged 79 surrounded by his family. After making his debut in 1966 John played in 25 internationals for Wales and five Tests for the Lions. Wales won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam, and two Triple Crowns during his stint on the international stage. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

John cemented his Lions legacy against the All Blacks in 1971 by playing a starring role in the historic 2-1 win over the hosts who dubbed him The King. He retired the following year aged just 27.

John was central to Wales' 1971 Grand Slam – their first since 1952 – sealed by a 9-5 win against France in Paris, which was their first there for 14 years. He made his debut as Wales lost to Australia in Cardiff in December 1966 and had to wait almost a year before partnering scrum-half Sir Gareth Edwards for the first time in a 13-6 home defeat by New Zealand. Watch Jiffy's live TV tribute here. John and his former Cardiff and Lions team-mate Edwards are regarded as one of the greatest half-back partnerships in rugby history.

It was also announced in August that former Wales international Alun Carter, who became one of the leading performance analysts in world rugby, died at the age of 59 while out on a walk. Born in Malpas, Newport, in 1964 the former flanker enjoyed a 15-year senior career which yielded two Wales caps and more than 300 first class games for Pontypool, SO Millau, Newport, and South Glamorgan Institute/Uwic. He made his Wales debut against England in 1991 while he also represented Wales A, a World XV in 1999, the Barbarians, British Police and Combined Services, Welsh Students and Police, Monmouthshire, Crawshays, and Welsh Academicals. Read tributes here.

The former Wales rugby head coach Kevin Bowring also died this year at the age of 70. He was the first full-time coach of the Wales national team holding the role between 1995 and 1998. He was seen as one of the great thinkers of the game.

The Neath Grammar school product played as a flanker for London Welsh, captaining the famous club. He also played for the Barbarians before later teaching at Clifton College. Read more about his career here.

The world of football was also in mourning in August when the tragic news was announced that the Cardiff City legend Sol Bamba had died at the age of 39. The former Bluebirds defender, who took charge of Turkish 1.Lig side Adanaspor in the summer, was taken ill before his team’s match against Manisa BBSK and later died in hospital.

Bamba spent five years with Cardiff as a player before returning as assistant to ex-boss Sabri Lamouchi in 2023. Having studied his coaching badges in Wales his move to Turkey was his first move into management. Read the tributes here.

Welsh footballer Terry Medwin, who was one of the last remaining members of the 1958 Wales World Cup squad, died at the age of 91. Until Gareth Bale's penalty against the USA in Qatar in 2022 Medwin was the last Welsh player to score at a World Cup and was a pivotal member of the side that reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in 1958.

In total Medwin won 30 caps for his country netting six goals along the way. The winger started his career at Swansea Town back in 1949 and made 148 league appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals. He would later go on to join Tottenham Hotspur in 1956 where he became a club legend, scoring 65 goals in 195 league games, before hanging up his boots in 1963.

Another sporting legend to be lost was former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths who died in December at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia. Griffiths, from Lanelli, came through the qualifying rounds to win the 1979 Crucible title as a qualifier and also won the Masters and the UK Championship to complete the sport's illustrious triple crown.

In later years Griffiths became an accomplished coach inspiring the likes of Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, and Mark Allen. Read tributes here.

Tributes also poured in following the death of celebrated Welsh artist and musician Carl Bevan in the summer. Carl, who was 51, first rose to fame as the drummer of the Newport 1990s punk rock band 60ft Dolls who were part of what became known as the Cool Cymru movement.

More recently Carl, who grew up in Newport, has been celebrated for his landscape paintings of his favourite places in Wales. Carl's partner Bev and his dad Ray announced his sudden passing on social media.

Karl Wallinger, the World Party frontman who was also a member of The Waterboys, died aged 66. The Welsh-born frontman formed World Party in 1986, shortly after his departure from The Waterboys, and the group's debut album Private Revolution spawned popular songs including Ship Of Fools. The band released several more albums and their fourth, Egyptology – including the track She's The One, which was later covered by British singer Robbie Williams – peaked at number one on the official UK charts in 1999.

The world of politics also mourned the death of Welsh-born politician John Prescott. The pugnacious political bruiser who became an indispensable figure in Sir Tony Blair's New Labour project, who was born in Prestayn, provided a crucial link with the party's working-class roots as Sir Tony's reforming drive led critics to accuse him of abandoning socialism altogether.

Notoriously short-tempered as deputy prime minister he famously brawled with a protester who struck him with an egg while out campaigning during the 2001 general election in north Wales. He had a stormy relationship with the press who dubbed him 'Two Jags' and who mocked his at times jumbled syntax in statements and interviews. He nevertheless emerged as a key mediator in the turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown, which dominated the politics of the time.

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