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Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone has died aged 63, with the popstar remembering him as “the closest human to me for so long”. 

Mr Ciccone, who was an artist, dancer and designer, died on Friday in Michigan after being diagnosed with cancer.

He appeared in music videos such as Lucky Star, art directed Madonna’s Blond Ambition World Tour and served as tour director for The Girlie Show tour.

FILE - Christopher Ciccone, brother of Madonna and author of "Life With My Sister Madonna," poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, Friday, August 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
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Christopher Ciccone in 2008, when he released his book Life With My Sister Madonna. Pic: AP

In a post on Instagram, Madonna, 66, said Ciccone was in “so much pain towards the end”.

She said: “He was the closest human to me for so long, it’s hard to explain our bond.

“But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo.

“We took each other’s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood, in fact dance was a kind of superglue that held us together.

“Discovering dance in our small Midwestern town saved me and then my brother came along, and it saved him too. My ballet teacher, also named Christopher, created a safe space for my brother to be gay, a word that was not spoken or even whispered where we lived.

“When I finally got the courage to go to New York to become a dancer, my brother followed, and again we took each other’s hands, and we danced through the madness of New York City.”

She added: “My brother was right by my side, he was a painter, a poet and a visionary, I admired him.

“He had impeccable taste. And a sharp tongue, which he sometimes used against me but I always forgave him.

“We soared the highest heights together, and floundered in the lowest lows.

“Somehow, we always found each other again and we held hands and we kept dancing.”

FILE - Madonna poses with her brother, Christopher Ciccone, left, and director Alek Keskishian following the premiere showing of Madonna's newest film, "Truth or Dare," May 7, 1991, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julie Markes, File)
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Christopher and Madonna in 1991. Pic: AP

Mr Ciccone fell out with his sister in 2008 after the release of his bestselling autobiography Life With My Sister Madonna in which he wrote about their strained relationship, her romances and memories from their time on tour together.

Speaking about mending their argument before Mr Ciccone’s death, Madonna said: “The last few years have not been easy.

“We did not speak for some time but when my brother got sick, we found our way back to each other.”

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She added: “I did my best to keep him alive as long as possible.

“He was in so much pain towards the end, once again, we held hands, we closed our eyes and we danced, together.

“I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore, there will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.”

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Mr Ciccone directed music videos for Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett during his career, and was an interior designer for Madonna’s homes in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

In 2016, Mr Ciccone married Ray Thacker, a British actor, who was by his side when he died.

Madonna’s stepmother, Joan Clare Ciccone, died from cancer just weeks ago, and her older brother Anthony Ciccone died last year.

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Quincy Jones: Oprah Winfrey, Elton John and Barack Obama among famous figures paying tribute to music legend

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Quincy Jones: Oprah Winfrey, Elton John and Barack Obama among famous figures paying tribute to music legend

Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John and Barack Obama among the famous figures who have paid tribute to Quincy Jones following his death at the age of 91.

Following the announcement of his death on Monday, a string of friends, collaborators and admirers have been speaking out to praise the music producer and composer.

TV host Oprah Winfrey said her life “changed forever for the better” after meeting Jones as he helped secure her role in the 1985 film adaptation of The Colour Purple, which earned her an Oscar nomination.

Jones, the jazz musician known for collaborating with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, wrote the film score and also co-produced the film.

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Quincy Jones dies aged 91

Winfrey wrote on Instagram: “My beloved Q. The world’s beloved Q. The one and only Quincy Jones ‘discovered’ me for The Color Purple movie in 1985. My life changed forever for the better after meeting him.

“I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who’s heart was so filled with love.

“He walked around with his heart wide open, and he treated everybody as if they were the most important person he’d ever met. He was the Light. No shadows.

“He was love lived out loud in human form and he was the first person I ever loved unconditionally.”

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10 things about Quincy Jones

Whoopi Goldberg, who was also in The Colour Purple, also wrote on Instagram: “I was lucky enough to have him in my life for all these years.

“My heart is breaking for his friends and his extended family who loved and adored him… my condolences.”

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Quincy Jones’s best-known collaborations

Former US president Barack Obama, who honoured Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010, said: “For decades, Quincy Jones was music.

“From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it.

“His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age. And by building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business.”

U.S. President Barack Obama congratulates musician, composer, record producer, and arranger Quincy Jones after presenting the 2010 National Medal of Arts during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 2, 2011. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT)
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Barack Obama honoured Quincy Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010. Pic: Reuters

He added: “Michelle and I send our thoughts to Quincy’s friends, family, and everyone who has lived their lives to his songs.”

Sir Elton John remembered Jones as someone who had a more “incredible” career in music than anyone else.

He shared a photo with him at the Elton John Aids Foundation Oscar viewing party, and called him a “loyal supporter of this important fundraiser”.

The singer added: “Nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones. He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”

Rapper Ice T hailed Jones as a “genius”, while US Grammy-winner Lenny Kravitz said he was “speechless”, but added: “What a life. What an expression of authenticity. What a teacher. I am humbled that I was given the gift of your openness and friendship”.

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Singers react to death of ‘hero’ Quincy Jones

Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland thanked Jones for being “such a wonderful teacher” and creating the soundtrack to “some of the most extraordinary moments” in her life.

Jones also helped to launch and was an executive producer on the popular US sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith.

Jones with his daughter Rashida Jones and Will Smith in 2007. Pic: Reuters
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Jones with his daughter, actress Rashida Jones, and Will Smith in 2007. Pic: Reuters

Smith said: “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a mentor, a father and a friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me.

“He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers, who was friends with Jones, shared a video that said “Rest In Power Quincy Jones. The Greatest of All Time”.

Peter Hook, the bassist and co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, wrote on social media: “It’s so sad to hear about Quincy Jones. When he signed us to his label, he made us feel so welcome – inviting us to dinner at his home every time we were in town.

“He made us big in America. He was so humble & sweet that you immediately fell in love with him.”

Hook added: “And to this day I still got a lovely message from him every year on Christmas and birthday cards! A musical genius and a great, lovely man.”

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Amy Dowden ‘heartbroken’ as she leaves this year’s Strictly Come Dancing

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Amy Dowden 'heartbroken' as she leaves this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden will not take part in the rest of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The professional dancer made a return to the celebrity contest this series after undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had been partnered with JLS star JB Gill.

However, the 34-year-old has now had to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.

In a statement on Instagram, she said: “I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short.

“My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.”

Dowden added: “I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB.

“To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.”

Strictly Come Dancing stars JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
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JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston

A spokeswoman for Strictly added: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.

“Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB’s dance partner.

“The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”

The news was first announced on Monday evening during the show’s spin-off programme Strictly: It Takes Two.

Lauren Oakley partnered with Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year.
Pic: PA
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Lauren Oakley partnered with Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year.
Pic: PA

Dowden was taken ill during the live show the previous weekend and missed the Sunday results programme.

She was taken to hospital from the BBC show’s production centre, Elstree Studios, as a “precaution” after “feeling unwell”, a spokesman for Dowden said at the time.

Last year, Dowden found a lump in her breast while on her honeymoon in the Maldives with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones, and was unable to compete on Strictly.

After treatment for stage three breast cancer, she announced in February that tests showed she had “no evidence of disease“.

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Dowden was made an MBE in this year’s New Year’s honours list for services to fundraising and raising awareness of Crohn’s. She was diagnosed with the disease as a teenager and is a UK ambassador for the charity Crohn’s and Colitis.

She was also admitted to hospital in Manchester following a Crohn’s flare-up during the 2022 Strictly live tour.

Dowden also said in her statement that in the past few months she had “finally felt like me again”.

She added: “Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.

“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back.”

Dowden also praised JB Gill for being the “perfect partner” on the dancefloor.

“I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader,” she added.

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Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has died

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Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has died

Quincy Jones, the music producer and composer, has died at the age of 91.

Jones worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many other artists.

Among his best-known credits was as the producer of Jackson’s historic Thriller album.

Jones oversaw the all-star recording of the 1985 charity record We Are The World.

He also composed the soundtrack to the hit 1969 British film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine.

Pic:  Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP

Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones attend 26th Annual Grammy Awards on February 28, 1984 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX
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Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP

Supermodels Naomi Campbell, left, and Claudia Schiffer flank music impresario Quincy Jones at New York's Fashion Cafe Wednesday, July 5, 1995, during a party to welcome new investor in the Fashion Cafe - supermodel Christy Turlington. Owner Tomasso Buti announced the planned opening of Fashion Cafe London in the summer of 1996, at a news conference earlier in the evening. (AP Photo/Paul Hurschmann)
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Naomi Campbell, left, and Claudia Schiffer flank Quincy Jones. Pic: AP

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed Jones died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday surrounded by his family.

In a statement, his family said: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’s passing.

“And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Grammy winners Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie pose together backstage at the Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles, on February 26, 1986. (AP Photo)
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Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Pic: AP

Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton Circa 1980's. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP
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Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP

His family added Jones was “truly one of a kind” who they would “miss dearly”.

“We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created,” they added.

“Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”

His career, which spans more than 75 years, saw him achieve 28 Grammy award wins out of 80 nominations.

He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are The World and was among the charity single’s featured singers, called Jones “the master orchestrator”.

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Jones, a father of seven, was married three times to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and Peggy Lipton.

His children include music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for Parks And Recreation and the US version of The Office.

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