Donna

GRATEFUL Dead singer Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay has sadly died at the age of 78.

The singer, who made a name for herself in the band in the 70s, was also a backup singer for Elvis Presley and Percy Sledge.

The rocker sadly died on Sunday after a lengthy cancer battle.

A statement was released after she died at Alive Hospice in Nashville.

The statement announced her passing reads, “She was a sweet and warmly beautiful spirit, and all those who knew her are united in loss.

“The family requests privacy at this time of grieving.

“In the words of Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, ‘May the four winds blow her safely home’.”

Fans have already flocked to social media to express their sadness over her tragic passing.

One person on X said, “Donna was awesome. Really sad about this.”

Another penned, “Beautiful and powerful voice, there will never be another Donna Jean.”

A third person added, “So sad to learn of the passing of Donna Jean Godchaux.

“Through most of the 1970s, she made her mark on American music as a singer with the Grateful Dead. May she rest in peace.”

And a fourth said, “RIP Donna Jean Thatcher Godchaux-MacKay.

“Helluva singer who worked with the Grateful Dead & Elvis and put up with a sh**load of misogyny. Tough, special lady.”

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Donna Farizan, a “Today” contributor, announced her departure from the NBC morning show during Monday’s “Today With Jenna and Friends.”

“A year ago, I launched a series called ‘Own Your Power,’ where I challenged myself to speak my truth,” Farizan told co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie. “And now, after 12 years with ‘Today,’ I’m challenging myself to spread my wings beyond the show to see what new and exciting opportunities await me professionally.”

Farizan, 34, then read a letter she wrote to herself reflecting on the experiences and lessons she gained during her time on the show.

“The world of TV and content can sometimes feel overwhelming because there is no road map,” she said as highlights from the last 12 years played. “But I am so grateful to have gone to the school of Kathie Lee Gifford, the school of Hoda Kotb and the school of Jenna Bush Hager, because now it’s time for me, Donna Farizan, to create my own map.”

Farizan, who joined “Today” as an intern when she was 20, became a full-time contributor after graduating from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Throughout her “Today” career, she hosted game segments and, through her segment “Own Your Power,” told stories of people realizing their capabilities. Farizan often shared personal experiences on the show or through essays written for Today.com, where she wrote about freezing her eggs.

The show’s staff joined Farizan, Hager and Guthrie onstage to bid their contributor farewell.

Farizan thanked Hager for teaching her that being herself is enough and told Guthrie that she was one of the reporters she studied for her senior thesis in college.

Before signing off, Farizan thanked the viewers for growing up with her and for being a constant of the show.

CELEBS Go Dating fans were left unimpressed last night when new recruit Donna Preston’s date turned X-rated.

Comedian Donna, 39, joined the Celebs Go Dating agency in Tuesday night’s episode.

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She was thrown straight in at the deep end when she was blindfolded and sent on a date with Damian.

After he asked if she had pets, Donna replied: “I’ve got a cat.”

She then told Damian her pet is called Mr Big, to which he replied: “Mr Big? A nice, big pussy.”

But, rather than being turned off by his obvious innuendo, Donna quizzed Damian on his sex drive.

After claiming it’s “through the roof”, Damian admitted to having had “threesomes and a fivesome”.

Donna said: “A fivesome? Isn’t that a g*** b***? How was that?”

Damian replied: “It was good, I enjoyed it.”

But some viewers at home didn’t enjoy the exchange, with one writing on social media: “omg at Donna’s blind date tonight …. Their conversation was so risqué lol …. I was flabbergasted.”

And another said: “Donna & Damian are a bit much. Who has those chats on a first date?”

Ahead of her Celebs Go Dating debut, Donna spoke to The Sun about her previous relationships – confessing she once dated a murderer who is now in jail.

She said: “I’ve been in two long-term relationships and when I got out of that I went on a date and they ended up being a murderer.

“A real life murderer! He’s in jail though, so that’s nice.”