Category News

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

View 3 Images

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

View 3 Images

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.

View 3 Images

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.”

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

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

View 3 Images

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

View 3 Images

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.

View 3 Images

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.”

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

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.

3 images to be seen

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.

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.

3 images to be seen

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.

3 images to be seen

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.

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.

Premier League and EFL packages are discounted by Sky Sports.

We may link to affiliate links in this article, but we will make money off of any purchases we make. more information

£43

£35

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.

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

View 3 Images

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.

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.

View 3 Images

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.

View 3 Images

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.

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.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£43

£35

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.