Benjamin Zephaniah Dies: Celebrated British Poet & ‘Peaky Blinders’ Actor Was 65
deadline.comCelebrated British poet Benjamin Zephaniah has died aged 65. His passing was confirmed by a post on his Instagram account, eight weeks after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The poet, who was also an actor in BBC drama Peaky Blinders, died this morning with family by his side. “It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved husband, son and brother in the early hours of this morning, the 7th December 2023,” read the post. “Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed.
We shared him with the world and we known many will be shocked and saddened by this news. Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so such.” Zephaniah was known for his radical and often deeply political poetry, his love for Jamaica, and his powerful and soulful delivery.
Born into poverty, he left school in Birmingham aged 13 unable to read or write but used a type-writer to teach himself both skills.
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