Last night at the glittering awards, actor and TV host Warwick Davis received the BAFTA Fellowship – the British Academy’s highest honour – less than one year after his wife Samantha passed away.
The 55-year-old dedicated the award to Samantha, but then went on to thank a mystery person named ‘Sponge’ for helping him feel love again in his life.
The Harry Potter star 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.”
Elsewhere in his speech, the actor said: “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ve been in Star Wars.” He also admitted that since losing Samantha, 53, back in March last year, “life has been pretty tough”.
“She was always so supportive of my career, encouraging me to grab every opportunity with both hands,” he said. “Since then life has been pretty tough for me. Thanks to the support of our wonderful children I’ve been able to continue working and engaging in life.”
The star held back tears as he finished his speech.
As well as being an actor, Warwick also presented the ITV game show Tenable since 2016. In a statement last month, Davis described the Fellowship as an “incredible honour” and thanked BAFTA “for believing in his journey”.
“I accept this Fellowship in honour of everyone living with dwarfism or any form of difference, reminding us that our uniqueness can be our greatest asset,” he said. “The Fellowship, to me, embodies the spirit of inclusivity, creativity, and collaboration that Bafta stands for.
“This recognition is not just about the body of work I’ve contributed but also about the people who’ve stood by me and the audiences who have made this journey worthwhile.
“I also want to acknowledge the wonderful colleagues and friends who’ve worked behind the scenes – costume-makers, makeup artists, camera crews – who quietly and tirelessly pour their hearts into every production. I look forward to continuing to champion fresh perspectives, advocate for better representation, and inspire the next generation of storytellers to dream big.”