Chris Dreja dead: The Yardbirds founder dies after health battle as tributes shared

Chris Dreja, a founding member of the influential British rock group The Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79 following a long illness

Chris Dreja, the legendary rhythm guitarist and bassist for the Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79 following a lengthy battle with ill health.

His sister-in-law Muriel Levy broke the devastating news on Threads, posting nostalgic pictures of the iconic musician and penning: “This is with a deep sadness that I have to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former member of legendary band The Yardbirds, rhythm guitarist and also bass player, has passed away after years of health problems.

“I share the pain with my sister Kate, who took care of him during all those years, and his daughter Jackie… May he RIP.”

Chris was amongst the founding members of the Yardbirds, which emerged from the suburbs of south-west London in 1963. The initial line-up featured Anthony “Top” Topham, Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jim McCarty.

READ MORE: Paul Danan’s will revealed months after star’s death at 46 – with touching gift to sonREAD MORE: Taylor Swift wedding update as she invites Radio 1 DJ to big day live on air

Although he endured a succession of strokes in 2012 and 2013 which compelled him to step back from performing, the musician carried on playing with a version of the band until just over a decade ago.

The Yardbirds are celebrated as one of the most groundbreaking groups of their era. They initially shot to stardom with Eric Clapton on guitar for their 1965 smash hit, For Your Love.

Clapton departed the band shortly following their major success, with Jeff Beck stepping up to take his place, reports the Express. In 1966, Jimmy Page joined the band, initially playing bass before switching to dual lead guitar alongside Jeff.

Following Jeff’s exit, Jimmy became the sole guitarist, but by 1968, the group was crumbling, and Jimmy transformed them into Led Zeppelin.

Chris turned down the opportunity to join them as he wished to concentrate on his photography career. He would later photograph Led Zeppelin for the rear cover of their debut album.

Throughout his professional career, his lens also captured legends like Bob Dylan, the Righteous Brothers, and Ike and Tina Turner.

During the 1980s, he played with Yardbirds spin-off band Box of Frogs and stayed with the reformed Yardbirds from 1992 until 2013. The Yardbirds earned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1992, with nearly all surviving members from the band’s heyday, including Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, present at the ceremony. They released a new album titled Birdland in 2002.

Supporters shared touching tributes as news of his death emerged.

“I’m Sorry to hear this sad news. I saw The Yardbirds a few years ago with The Zombies. It was a wonderful evening and no mere nostalgia trip. RIP,” one fan wrote.

Another posted on Threads, “A guitarist in one of the most underrated bands of their time IMHO and a favourite of mine. He’ll be playing melodies with Jeff now in heaven.

“Sorry to hear it. They were an original supergroup – with so many legendary guitarists passing through their lineup,” one fan added.

Another chimed in: “He was awesome and the Yardbirds meant the world to me. They opened my teenage mind to the “Rave Up” and my teenage years were spent learning every song, searching for “Golden Eggs” and adoring Jeff, Chris, Paul, Keith and Jim. RIP Chris Dreja.”

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Chris Dreja dead: The Yardbirds founder dies after health battle as tributes shared

Chris Dreja, a founding member of the influential British rock group The Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79 following a long illness

Chris Dreja, the legendary rhythm guitarist and bassist for the Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79 following a lengthy battle with ill health.

His sister-in-law Muriel Levy broke the devastating news on Threads, posting nostalgic pictures of the iconic musician and penning: “This is with a deep sadness that I have to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former member of legendary band The Yardbirds, rhythm guitarist and also bass player, has passed away after years of health problems.

“I share the pain with my sister Kate, who took care of him during all those years, and his daughter Jackie… May he RIP.”

Chris was amongst the founding members of the Yardbirds, which emerged from the suburbs of south-west London in 1963. The initial line-up featured Anthony “Top” Topham, Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jim McCarty.

READ MORE: Paul Danan’s will revealed months after star’s death at 46 – with touching gift to sonREAD MORE: Taylor Swift wedding update as she invites Radio 1 DJ to big day live on air

Although he endured a succession of strokes in 2012 and 2013 which compelled him to step back from performing, the musician carried on playing with a version of the band until just over a decade ago.

The Yardbirds are celebrated as one of the most groundbreaking groups of their era. They initially shot to stardom with Eric Clapton on guitar for their 1965 smash hit, For Your Love.

Clapton departed the band shortly following their major success, with Jeff Beck stepping up to take his place, reports the Express. In 1966, Jimmy Page joined the band, initially playing bass before switching to dual lead guitar alongside Jeff.

Following Jeff’s exit, Jimmy became the sole guitarist, but by 1968, the group was crumbling, and Jimmy transformed them into Led Zeppelin.

Chris turned down the opportunity to join them as he wished to concentrate on his photography career. He would later photograph Led Zeppelin for the rear cover of their debut album.

Throughout his professional career, his lens also captured legends like Bob Dylan, the Righteous Brothers, and Ike and Tina Turner.

During the 1980s, he played with Yardbirds spin-off band Box of Frogs and stayed with the reformed Yardbirds from 1992 until 2013. The Yardbirds earned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1992, with nearly all surviving members from the band’s heyday, including Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, present at the ceremony. They released a new album titled Birdland in 2002.

Supporters shared touching tributes as news of his death emerged.

“I’m Sorry to hear this sad news. I saw The Yardbirds a few years ago with The Zombies. It was a wonderful evening and no mere nostalgia trip. RIP,” one fan wrote.

Another posted on Threads, “A guitarist in one of the most underrated bands of their time IMHO and a favourite of mine. He’ll be playing melodies with Jeff now in heaven.

“Sorry to hear it. They were an original supergroup – with so many legendary guitarists passing through their lineup,” one fan added.

Another chimed in: “He was awesome and the Yardbirds meant the world to me. They opened my teenage mind to the “Rave Up” and my teenage years were spent learning every song, searching for “Golden Eggs” and adoring Jeff, Chris, Paul, Keith and Jim. RIP Chris Dreja.”

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Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Maura Higgins says affordable £10 root spray ‘saves her life’ and covers grey hairs

What David Beckham really thinks about being 50 as Man Utd legend lands new World Cup role

Former England and Manchester United star David Beckham has announced his new role ahead of the 2026 World Cup, after insisting that he is not concerned about turning 50

Sir David Beckham is showing no signs of slowing down after turning 50 as the Manchester United legend takes on a new role ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The former England captain has kept himself extremely busy since retiring from playing in 2013.

He has worked on charitable causes through a number of different campaigns, launched several brands, continued his modelling career and even formed his own football team, Inter Miami.

The iconic No. 7 has now teamed up with Verizon, the World Cup’s official telecommunications partner, for their 360 marketing campaign before the tournament kicks off in the USA, Mexico and Canada next year. The scheme will provide their customers with thousands of complimentary match tickets, while hundreds more will win the chance to enjoy pitchside access during the tournament.

Beckham is certainly showing no signs of kicking back and relaxing just yet, despite turning 50 in May. Speaking to Men’s Health about reaching that milestone earlier this year, the United hero explained: “It doesn’t bother me one bit. People are asking me about it gently, like it should be a big issue.

“It’s not something that I’m worried about—as long as I’m fit and healthy and my family is healthy, that’s all I care about. For my 50th, I’m going to keep it really simple. I want good food, good wine, that’s it. All my closest friends.”

READ MORE: Man Utd were close to signing World Cup winner who won Ballon d’OrREAD MORE: Ryan Giggs career update as Man Utd legend ‘no longer involved’ at EFL club

Following a legendary career spanning over 600 matches for club and country, Beckham has ventured into a number of different pursuits. One such venture included founding MLS side Inter Miami in 2018, which began competing in 2020 and has since attracted superstars including Lionel Messi.

The father of four also launched his eponymous Netflix documentary series in 2023, reflecting on his playing days and personal life. In the same popular documentary, he revealed an unexpected hobby by mentioning his newfound love of beekeeping, which he took up during the Covid-19 lockdown.

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Beckham expanded on that interest by launching his own honey-based snack company, Bee Up, this year. Aimed at children as a superfood substitute for sweets, boxes of the snacks have recently appeared on shelves across the pond, going on sale at retail giant Target.

He said: “My love of beekeeping and making my own honey began as a hobby and quickly grew into a passion. I built the hives with my sons, learned how to care for the bees, and mastered the art of harvesting one of nature’s most powerful superfoods.”

Of course, his long list of off-the-field pursuits are not for want of money. According to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, have a staggering combined total fortune of £500million.

Business Insider reports that the former Real Madrid Galactico had amassed an impressive $800m (£587m) by the time he retired 12 years ago. At one point, he was the world’s highest-paid footballer, and his five-year contract with LA Galaxy in 2008 would be worth around £190m today.

But Beckham has also boosted his personal wealth through a string of lucrative sponsorships and business deals, partnering with big-name brands such as Emporio Armani, Gillette, PepsiCo, H&M, Breitling and most notably Adidas over the years. He’s even launched his own line of fragrances and lent his name to everything from sunglasses to video games.

The Netflix documentary is believed to have netted the ex-footballer a whopping £20m, while he raked in a staggering £72.6m in 2023 thanks to his sponsorships and production company. He also signed a 10-year deal to become an ambassador for Qatar, which reportedly saw him paid around £125m by the country.

As well as making astronomical sums from his various ventures, Beckham is known for his lavish spending, with over a dozen properties making up his remarkable portfolio, which is believed to be worth around £70m. That includes a luxury penthouse in Miami, bought for £17.5m, as well as a London townhouse valued at around £30m.

He also owns a 130-foot superyacht that reportedly cost him around £16m, while his car collection is thought to be worth over £2m in total.

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What David Beckham really thinks about being 50 as Man Utd legend lands new World Cup role

David Beckham, a former England and Manchester United star, has made an announcement about his new role ahead of the 2026 World Cup, insisting that he is not concerned about turning 50.

Sir David Beckham is showing no signs of slowing down after turning 50 as the Manchester United legend takes on a new role ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The former England captain has kept himself extremely busy since retiring from playing in 2013.

He has worked on charitable causes through a number of different campaigns, launched several brands, continued his modelling career and even formed his own football team, Inter Miami.

The recognizable No. Before the World Cup begins in the USA, Mexico, and Canada in the following year, 7 has now collaborated with Verizon, the official telecommunications partner of the World Cup. The scheme will offer its customers a large number of complimentary match tickets, and hundreds more will get to enjoy pitchside access during the competition.

Beckham is certainly showing no signs of kicking back and relaxing just yet, despite turning 50 in May. Speaking to Men’s Health about reaching that milestone earlier this year, the United hero explained: “It doesn’t bother me one bit. People are asking me about it gently, like it should be a big issue.

As long as I’m healthy, fit, and my family is healthy, that’s all I care about, not worrying about it. I’m going to keep it very simple for my 50th birthday. That’s it, I want good food and wine. All of my closest friends.

READ MORE: Man Utd were close to signing World Cup winner who won Ballon d’OrREAD MORE: Ryan Giggs career update as Man Utd legend ‘no longer involved’ at EFL club

Following a legendary career spanning over 600 matches for club and country, Beckham has ventured into a number of different pursuits. One such venture included founding MLS side Inter Miami in 2018, which began competing in 2020 and has since attracted superstars including Lionel Messi.

The father of four also launched his eponymous Netflix documentary series in 2023, reflecting on his playing days and personal life. In the same popular documentary, he revealed an unexpected hobby by mentioning his newfound love of beekeeping, which he took up during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Without prior authorization, content cannot be displayed.

Beckham’s honey-based snack brand, Bee Up, was the first to expand on that interest this year. Boxes of the snacks, which are intended for kids as a superfood substitute for sweets, have recently been offered on Target’s shelves.

He asserted that “my passion for honey and beekeeping quickly developed into a passion.” I collaborated with my sons to construct the hives, learned how to take care of bees, and became an expert at capturing one of nature’s most potent superfoods.

Of course, his long list of off-the-field pursuits are not for want of money. According to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, have a staggering combined total fortune of £500million.

Business Insider reports that the former Real Madrid Galactico had amassed an impressive $800m (£587m) by the time he retired 12 years ago. At one point, he was the world’s highest-paid footballer, and his five-year contract with LA Galaxy in 2008 would be worth around £190m today.

Beckham has also expanded his personal wealth through partnerships with well-known brands like Emporio Armani, Gillette, PepsiCo, H&amp, M, Breitling, and most recently Adidas, as well as a number of lucrative sponsorships and business deals. He’s even created a line of fragrances and credited his name to everything from video games to sunglasses.

The Netflix documentary is believed to have netted the ex-footballer a whopping £20m, while he raked in a staggering £72.6m in 2023 thanks to his sponsorships and production company. He also signed a 10-year deal to become an ambassador for Qatar, which reportedly saw him paid around £125m by the country.

Beckham is known for his lavish spending, with over a dozen properties making up his impressive portfolio, which is thought to be worth around £70 million, in addition to earning astronomical sums from his various ventures. That includes a $ 17 million Miami penthouse and a $ 30 million townhouse in London.

He also has a 130-foot superyacht that reportedly cost him around £16 million, and his total car collection is thought to be worth more than £2 million.

Continue reading the article.

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

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Content Image

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Get the deal here.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Paul Danan’s will revealed months after star’s death at 46 – with touching gift to son

Eight months after Paul Danan’s 46th birthday, his will was made public.

The death of the Love Island and Hollyoaks icon was made public in January of this year. Eight months later, documents reveal that he left a fortune worth more than £438,000.

Jamie and Joshua, his two brothers, each $30,000, according to his will. The actor also left £20,000 to Emma Devries, who is alleged to be DeNiro’s legal guardian, for his son. The TV star’s 10-year-old son will inherit the remainder of his estate when he reaches the age of 21.

Paul called his don DeNiro his 'mini-me'
(Paul Danan/Instagram) Paul refers to DeNiro as his “mini-me”
Paul Danan was found dead at his home in Bristol January 15
On January 15th, Bristol resident Paul Danan was discovered dead at his home (Jam Press).

Paul, a TV personality, once referred to his beloved son as his “proudest accomplishment.” DeNiro, who was born in 2015, was referred to as his “mini-me” by Paul event.

Over the years, Paul is alleged to have co-parented his beloved son with his beloved son. He has since shared photos of himself with his co-parents on Instagram.

One year prior to his passing, Paul wrote a heartfelt birthday greeting to DeNiro: “Happy birthday to my most precious, beautiful, and amazing child in the entire world!” I adore you dearly and aspire to spend every day with you, so please let G-d lead us. I’ll just say hello to you and wish you the best birthdays ever. I adore you, sweetheart. Daddy always and forever.

On January 15, Paul was discovered dead on a sofa in his Bristol home. An inquest was held in May of this year, and the TV icon’s friends were the ones who found him.

According to the coroner, Paul’s friends called 911 after not seeing him. A neighbor entered his home and they were able to locate him for two days before he passed away.

Paul was lying slumped against the edge of his sofa, the television still on, and he was there. The late actor, who was known for his roles on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks and Celebrity Big Brother, died from a combination of drugs, including cocaine and heroin.

His management made the announcement that Paul would pass away the following day. We share the tragic news of the passing of @pauldanan at the age of 46, and this statement reads: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news.

Paul was a beacon of light to many thanks to his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness. All those who knew him will have irreplaceable voids in their lives as a result of his premature departure.

We kindly request Paul’s family, friends, and coworkers’ privacy during this difficult time. At this time, there won’t be any more comments.

This story, do you like? Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeandThreads for more latest news and gossip.

Paul Danan’s will revealed months after star’s death at 46 – with touching gift to son

Eight months after Paul Danan’s 46th birthday, his will was made public.

The death of the Love Island and Hollyoaks icon was made public in January of this year. Eight months later, documents reveal that he left a fortune worth more than £438,000.

Jamie and Joshua, his two brothers, each $30,000, according to his will. The actor also left £20,000 to Emma Devries, who is alleged to be DeNiro’s legal guardian, for his son. The TV star’s 10-year-old son will inherit the remainder of his estate when he reaches the age of 21.

Paul called his don DeNiro his 'mini-me'
(Paul Danan/Instagram) Paul refers to DeNiro as his “mini-me”
Paul Danan was found dead at his home in Bristol January 15
On January 15th, Bristol resident Paul Danan was discovered dead at his home (Jam Press).

Paul, a TV personality, once referred to his beloved son as his “proudest accomplishment.” DeNiro, who was born in 2015, was referred to as his “mini-me” by Paul event.

Over the years, Paul is alleged to have co-parented his beloved son with his beloved son. He has since shared photos of himself with his co-parents on Instagram.

One year prior to his passing, Paul wrote a heartfelt birthday greeting to DeNiro: “Happy birthday to my most precious, beautiful, and amazing child in the entire world!” I adore you dearly and aspire to spend every day with you, so please let G-d lead us. I’ll just say hello to you and wish you the best birthdays ever. I adore you, sweetheart. Daddy always and forever.

On January 15, Paul was discovered dead on a sofa in his Bristol home. An inquest was held in May of this year, and the TV icon’s friends were the ones who found him.

According to the coroner, Paul’s friends called 911 after not seeing him. A neighbor entered his home and they were able to locate him for two days before he passed away.

Paul was lying slumped against the edge of his sofa, the television still on, and he was there. The late actor, who was known for his roles on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks and Celebrity Big Brother, died from a combination of drugs, including cocaine and heroin.

His management made the announcement that Paul would pass away the following day. We share the tragic news of the passing of @pauldanan at the age of 46, and this statement reads: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news.

Paul was a beacon of light to many thanks to his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness. All those who knew him will have irreplaceable voids in their lives as a result of his premature departure.

We kindly request Paul’s family, friends, and coworkers’ privacy during this difficult time. At this time, there won’t be any more comments.

This story, do you like? Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeandThreads for more latest news and gossip.