Jonah Lomu, Jules Bianchi, Richie Benaud - Sporting figures we lost in 2015

(2015 Getty Images)

2015 may have been an exciting year in the sporting world, but it was a sad one too.

A number of loved sporting figures passed away this year, from ageing icons such as cricket commentator Richie Benaud and 'the voice of racing' Sir Peter O'Sullevan, to athletes in their prime like Formula One driver Jules Bianchi, who died from injuries after a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in October 2014.

Some were a sudden shock, like the death of Jonah Lomu, who was just 40, whereas others, like former Match of the Day commentator Jimmy Hill, had come after long illnesses.

Here we look back and remember those sporting figures who passed away in 2015.

Rest in peace.