Celebrity deaths come in threes? Not in 2016, where the year's off to an even sadder start with a slew of departed musicians, actors and entertainers.

Here's a look at famous people we've said goodbye to in 2016:

January

Natalie Cole 

The Bolton News:

R&B singer and daughter of music legend Nat "King" Cole, died New Year's Eve aged 65 from heart failure caused by lung disease.

Ed Stewart

'Stewpot' was known for his work as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 and as a presenter for Top of the Pops and Crackerjack on TV.

The Bolton News: Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart of Crackerjack fame dies aged 74

David Bowie 

The Bolton News:

Died two days after his 69th birthday, after an 18-month secret battle with cancer. The music legend was well-known for his fashion, movie roles, Ziggy Stardust and hit songs like "Space Oddity," "Fame" and "Let's Dance."

David Margulies

The Bolton News:

Character actor who played "Ghostbusters" mayor and "Ace Ventura" doctor, died aged 78.

Alan Rickman

The Bolton News:

"Harry Potter" actor and "Die Hard" villain, died of cancer at 69.

Dan Haggerty

The Bolton News:

"Grizzly Adams" actor and '70s star best-known for his beard and rugged looks, died of cancer at 74.

Clarence Reid

Better known as funk/R&B singer Blowfly, died at 76. He wrote and produced tracks for artists like Sam & Dave and KC & the Sunshine Band, and his often R-rated solo songs were sampled by rappers like Snoop Dogg and Jurassic 5.

Glenn Frey 

The Bolton News:

The Eagles guitarist and co-founder, died at 67. Frey co-wrote hits like "Hotel California" with Don Henley.

Abe Vigoda

The Bolton News:

Character actor in "The Godfather" and "Barney Miller," died at 94.

Paul Kantner

The Bolton News:

Jefferson Airplane co-founder and guitarist, died at 74.

Signe Anderson

The original Jefferson Airplane singer who was replaced by Grace Slick, died at 74 on the same day as band mate Paul Kantner. 

Frank Finlay

The Bolton News:

Oscar-nominated actor, from Farnworth, who played Iago in Laurence Olivier's "Othello," died at 89.

Colin Vearncombe

Singer-songwriter Vearncombe, known by his stage name Black, will best be remembered for his hit single Wonderful Life in 1987.

Sir Terry Wogan

The Bolton News:

BBC radio and television personality and Eurovision Song Contest commentator died at 77.

February

Maurice White 

The Bolton News:

Founding member of disco-funk group Earth, Wind & Fire, died at 74.

Dan Hicks

The Bolton News:

Led '60s band Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, died at 74.

Daniel Gerson

Co-writer of "Monsters, Inc." and "Big Hero 6," died of brain cancer at 49.

Harper Lee 

The Bolton News:

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "To Kill a Mockingbird," died at age 89.

George Kennedy

The Bolton News:

Tough-guy character actor best known for "Cool Hand Luke" and the "Naked Gun" movies, died at 91.

Frank Kelly

The actor, who played Father Jack in the comedy series Father Ted, died aged 77 on February 28.

March

Tony Warren

The Bolton News:

Creator of long-running TV soap opera "Coronation Street," died aged 79.

Pat Conroy

Author of "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini," died aged 70.

George Martin

The Bolton News:

The "Fifth Beatle" best known as a producer for The Beatles, died aged 90.

Richard Davalos

"East of Eden" and "Cool Hand Luke" actor, died at 85.

Paul Daniels 

The Bolton News:

 The magician and entertainer died from a brain tumour aged 77.

Keith Emerson

The Bolton News:

Founder and keyboardist of the progressive-rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer, died at 71.

Denise Robertson 

The Bolton News:

This Morning's resident agony aunt, died of pancreatic cancer aged 83. 

Sylvia Anderson

The Bolton News:

"Thunderbirds" co-creator and voice of the Lady Penelope puppet character, died at 88.

Frank Sinatra Jr.

The Bolton News:

Singer and son of Ol' Blue Eyes, died of cardiac arrest at 72.

Joe Santos

"The Rockford Files" and "The Sopranos" actor, died at 84.

Ken Howard

The Bolton News:

"White Shadow" actor and SAG-AFTRA president, died at 71.

Garry Shandling

The Bolton News:

Comedian and 'The Larry Sanders Show' star, died at 66.

Jim Harrison

"Legends of the Fall" author, died aged 78.

Patty Duke

The Bolton News:

Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, former child star and mother of "Lord of the Rings" actor Sean Astin, died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine at 69.

Johan Cruyff

The Bolton News:

One of football’s most iconic players of all time, died aged 68.

Ronnie Corbett

The Bolton News:

Comedian and star of "The Two Ronnies," died aged 85.

April

David Gest

The Bolton News:

Producer, Michael Jackson collaborator, reality TV star and ex-husband of Liza Minelli, died at 62.

Howard Marks 

The Bolton News: Howard Marks

The writer, performer and former drug smuggler died, aged 70, after suffering from cancer.

Doris Roberts 

The Bolton News:

Emmy-winning actress on "Everybody Loves Raymond," died at 90.

Morag Siller

The actress known for playing Marilyn Dingle in Emmerdale and Reverend Esther Warren in Coronation Street, died from pneumonia after suffering from cancer, aged 46. 

Victoria Wood

The Bolton News:

The Bury-born comedian and writer, died of cancer at the age of 62.

Chyna

The Bolton News:

WWE star, whose real name was Joan Marie Laurer, was one of the most popular female professional wrestlers in the late 1990s, died at 45.

Prince

The Bolton News:

Singer and songwriter, best known for the soundtracks to Batman and hit songs like Kiss and Purple Rain, died at 57 after collapsong at his home in Minnesota.