Remembered in 2012
by Rob OsborneIn 2012 Wales lost some of its biggest names in the world of sport and entertainment.
When he died in March, Mervyn Davies was described as one of the greats of modern Welsh rugby. The former Wales captain and Lions star died at the age of 65 following a battle with cancer.
He won 38 caps for Wales and went on two British and Irish Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. Davies played for London Welsh from 1968 and later joined Swansea where he completed his playing career.
Greats from the big and small screen were also lost this year. Brian Hibbard, with his distinctive sideburns, was a familiar face on television for decades. He found fame as the lead singer with the 1980s band the Flying Pickets and had a Christmas number in 1983 with 'Only You.' Acting was Brian's love and he found new fans as he starred in a host of TV shows Coronation Street, Pam Fi Duw? and Pobol Y Cwm as well as the Swansea-based film Twin Town. He died in June aged 65.
Actress Angharad Rees became a household name after starring in the hit BBC series 'Poldark' in the 1970s. She had long battled with pancreatic cancer and passed away in July aged 63. She was an active supporter of the arts and was an honorary fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
The world of sport was shocked when Welsh cricketer Tom Maynard was killed in London at an underground train station aged 23. Son of Matthew Maynard, he moved clubs from Glamorgan to Surrey in 2011. It was said at the time of his death that Tom had a bright future ahead of him in the sport.
Dr Jack Matthews won 17 caps for Wales and captained the team against France in Paris in 1951. He played six tests for the Lions earning the nickname 'Iron Man' for his crash tackling.
He died in October aged 92. Known widely as Dr Jack, he was part of a legendary Welsh midfield partnership with Bleddyn Williams.
Victor Spinetti was known on television, film and stage. He first came to attention in the plays of the radical writer Joan Littlewood's including in the hit 'Oh! What a Lovely War' for which he won a Tony award. He also starred in three of the Beatles' films, A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Help!’, and ‘Magical Mystery Tour’.
In the 1980s he gained a new audience, providing the voice of the villainous Texas Pete in S4C’s ‘SuperTed’. He worked until he was diagnosed with cancer and died in June aged 82
Phillip Madoc's voice was instantly recognisable and it served him well in his acting career. He played the title role in the BBC drama 'The Life and Times of David Lloyd George' but also had memorable appearances in ' Dad's Army' 'Dr Who' and 'The Last Of The Mohicans '
Among the many tributes to the 77 year old who died in March was one from Marilyn LeConte, a Lecturer in Acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama who said "Phillip was a fine actor, and a true gentleman"
The story of 2012: July - December
