Viewers tuning into this year’s star-studded BAFTA film award ceremony on BBC One, were left outraged on Sunday evening, as the annual In Memoriam tribute omitted one very famous, and much beloved actor. The poignant segment, which looks back at which famous faces in the film industry we have lost in in the past 12 months, was this year helmed by Jurassic Park actor Jeff Goldblum, who performed a rendition of As Time Goes By on the piano while a tribute video played featuring stars such as Dame Maggie Smith, David Lynch and Kris Kristofferson.
However, one star that appears to have been snubbed in the tribute is Manchester born actor Bernard Hill, who many fans will no doubt recognise for playing King Théoden in the Lord of the Rings. Despite his loss leaving a substantial hole in the hearts of many fans, BAFTA still saw fit to omit him from the tribute, prompting a wave of fury on social media. One horrified viewer wrote on X: “Seriously no Bernard Hill in the memorial?? Absolutely disgusting omission.”.
Meanwhile another added: “Bafta can go get f***ed for missing off Bernard Hill in the memoriam section.”. The 79-year-old actor, who has appeared in numerous films over the years, including True Crime, Titanic, Gandhi and Boys from the Blackstuff, passed away in May last year, prompting a huge outpouring of condolence messages, including from a wealth of famous faces. His agent Lou Coulson confirmed his death at the time, and in the process sparked a wave of tributes from all around the world and across the film and TV industry.
Barbara Dickson lead the tributes, writing: "It’s with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill. We worked together in John Paul George Ringo and Bert, Willy Russell marvellous show 1974-1975. A really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny.”. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, meanwhile said: "Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent.
"From Boys from the Blackstuff, to Wolf Hall, The Responder, and many more, we feel truly honoured to have worked with Bernard at the BBC. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”. His Lord of the Rings co-stars meanwhile, also paid tribute following Bernard’s sad death, with an appearance at comic con coinciding with the news of his passing. Speaking at Liverpool Comic Con last Summer, Samwise Gamgee actor Sean Astin told fans: “We just want to take a moment, before we walk off this stage, to honour him. He was supposed to be here today. We love him. He was intrepid, he was funny, he was gruff, he was irascible, he was beautiful.”.
“We were watching the movies and talking about it,” co-star Billy Boyd soon added. “And I said [to the others], ‘I don’t think anyone spoke Tolkien’s words as great as Bernard did.’ The way he grounded those words in a realism. He would break my heart. He was a wonderful man and he’ll be sorely missed.”. Later, Elijah Wood told fans online: “We will never forget you,” and then added a Tolkien quote: “For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning.”.
