Warwick Davis was deeply moved as he evoked a mix of emotions, including tears and laughter, from the crowd while delivering a heartfelt homage to his deceased wife at the BAFTAs on Sunday evening.
The 55-year-old actor was bestowed with a prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, an accolade reserved for individuals who have delivered an ‘exceptional and extraordinary’ impact to the world of entertainment. He chose to dedicate this recognition to his cherished late wife Samantha, who passed away the previous year.
During the ceremony, Davis was handed the award by his former co-star from Harry Potter, Tom Felton. Attendees were treated to a video montage showcasing moments from his illustrious career, interspersed with testimonials from his colleagues and loved ones, who lauded his exceptional skills and contributions.
Taking to the stage to a standing ovation, Warwick began his speech: ‘This is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me… and I’ve been in Star Wars!
‘I’m going to keep this short, it’s been a long night… short, yes you can laugh.’
He went on: ‘I’m going to say thank you to my mum, my first agent, she’s the reason I am here tonight.’
He then thanked all his team who supported him throughout his career and shared the award with them, before amending: ‘Sod that. I’ve done all the work, it’s for me! This is all mine.’
Warwick then became emotional as he dedicated the award to his beloved wife, Samantha, who tragically died last year.
Warwick said: ‘Above all I would like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy who died almost a year ago. She was always so supportive of my career and encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands.’
Samantha, who was herself an actor had been married to Warwick for 33 years, welcoming three children together, before her devastating death on March 24 at the age of 53.
Their daughter Annabelle, 27, and son Harrison, 21, were both seen crying in the audience as their dad thanked them helping him get through the tough year.
He said: ‘Since then, life has been pretty tough for me but thanks to the support of our wonderful children Annabelle and Harrison, I’ve been able to continue working and engaging in life.’
Warwick then gave a special shout out to a mystery person he referred to as ‘sponge’ and thanked them for helping him ‘love again’.
Fighting back tears, he voice broke as he said: ‘Special mention should go to Sponge, you know who you are. Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and for helping me to laugh and to love again’.
He concluded his speech by saying: ‘Finally thank you to BAFTA from the bottom of my heart for this incredible honour, I shall treasure it always. See you in the movies!’
The heartfelt speech caused the audience to become visibly emotional, while viewers at home were also left in tears.
They took to social media to praise Warwick’s talents and admit that his speech had ‘broken them’ and left them ‘absolutely sobbing’ and ‘crying my eyeballs all the way out!’
They gushed: ‘I wasn’t expecting to get teary whilst watching the BAFTAs, but Warwick Davis has set me off. It must be incredibly difficult to receive such an accolade without having that special loved one in your life anymore.’
‘I was NOT emotionally prepared for Warwick Davis’; ‘Oh god love you Warwick you’ve got me in tears’.
‘Warwick Davis and his kids have me BAWLING during the @BAFTA awards’; ‘Oh golly Warwick Davis setting me off.’
‘Warwick Davis deserves ALL of his flowers! The way we’ve all grown up watching him on screen from a young child to an adult tho. His speech about his wife who passed away a year ago truly had me choked up, we heart you Warwick! You’re an absolute legend!’
‘Warwick Davis shedding a tear for his late wife was heartbreaking, but so real. Grief isn’t something you can just switch off based on your environment.’
‘watching warwick davis win the bafta fellowship made me cry more than anything ever’; ‘Warwick Davis’ speech, bloody hell. What a great man, well deserved.’
‘Absolutely sobbing at Warwick Davis’ speech. What a legend’; ‘Warwick Davis crying my eyeballs all the way out!’
‘I’ve grown up with Warwick Davis, he seems like such a lovely men and he’s been in so so many awesome films. What an incredible career and hopefully he has many more films to come. The fact he has the crowd both laughing and crying shows he’s loved by all.’
Warwick and Samantha had been through many struggles before including the deaths of their firstborn child, Lloyd, just nine days after he was born.
Warwick said in 2022 that he would not wish the ‘devastating’ experience of losing their son on anyone and added: ‘You never get over it.’
Samantha was then struck down with sepsis, five years before her death, with Warwick keeping vigil at her hospital bedside as she fought for her life.
Their family had been gearing up for a caravan holiday in 2019 when she suddenly fell ill with a mystery condition, something she put down to stress.
However, she became gravely unwell and left on the brink of death before thankfully making a remarkable recovery.
The thought of losing his ‘soulmate’ tortured Warwick and despite her battling hard to recover, he later admitted they still felt its effects as they refused to ‘take life for granted’ anymore.
Samantha then tragically died last spring, with Warwick releasing a touching statement where he said her passing had ‘left a huge hole in our lives’ and paid tribute to his ‘favourite human’.
He described Sammy, as he called her, as his ‘most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career’.
The Star Wars actor said he felt like he could achieve anything with his wife by his side and that it felt like he had a ‘superpower’.
‘She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life she had a wicked sense of humour and always laughed at my bad jokes,’ Warwick said in a statement given to the BBC.
Warwick was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare bone growth disorder that causes dwarfism.
Samantha also had dwarfism but hers was caused by was caused by a condition called achondroplasia.
The couple were among the co-founders of Little People UK, which they formed in 2012, it provides support to people with dwarfism as well as their families and friends.
Last month, it was revealed that Warwick is suing a London hospital alleging medical negligence following Samantha’s death.
He instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell to represent his family and specialist medical negligence solicitor Madeline Nugent is working with them to further investigate.
The inquest, which was adjourned to a future date ‘as quickly as possible’ after connection issues, is expected to hear whether the treatment Samantha received at University College London Hospital for a spinal condition contributed to her death.
