BBC viewers left in tears at Warwick Davis tribute to late wife as he accepts BAFTAs Fellowship award

ACTOR Warwick Davis broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his late wife during his BAFTAs acceptance speech. The Harry Potter star, 55, was left overwhelmed as he took to the stage to thank a number of people - most importantly his late wife Samantha, who had been his number supporter since they met in 1988. In April 2024, Warwick announced the sad news that his "favourite human" had passed away at the age of 53.

During tonight's star-studded ceremony, Warwick was awarded the BAFTAs Fellowship prize, known as Bafta’s highest honour. Accepting the award on stage, he joked: “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ve been in Star Wars.”. But the Star Wars actor struggled to fight back tears as he admitted that “life has been pretty tough” since Samantha passed away last year. Warwick told the audience: "I'd like to thank my incredible team, my agent and everyone who has supported me throughout my career.

"This award isn't just for me, it's for all of you... hang on a minute, I've done all the work, it's for me.". He went on to praise his late wife for always supporting him throughout his career. The star shared: "Above all I'd like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy, who died almost a year ago. "She was always so supportive of my career, encouraging me to grab every opportunity with both hands, however, I soon noticed her level of enthusiasm for me taking a particular role was often relative to how much she wanted that new designer handbag.

"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.". The room filled with applauds for Warwick, who thanked the audience. The star continued: "A special mention too should go to Sponge, you know who you are, thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and helping me to laugh and to love again," Warwick said as he broke down in tears on stage.

He added: "And one final thought, anyone out there dreaming of telling your story, go for it, the world needs your vision.". Last April, Warwick shared an emotional statement, as the Harry Potter star star said his "favourite human" passed away on March 24. The couple met on the set of movie Willow in 1988 and married three years later. Devastated Warwick, 54, said: "Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs.".

He told the BBC: "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. "Without Sammy, there would have been no Tenable quiz show, no Willow series. No Idiot Abroad Series 3.". Warwick said Samantha was his "most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career". The couple's children, Harrison and Annabelle, added: "Mum is our best friend and we're honoured to have received a love like hers.

"Her love and happiness carried us through our whole lives.". Samantha was best known for her roles in Through the Dragon's Eye, ShortFellas and Honky Sausages. Her dad Peter, an extra in Willow, later became Warwick's business partner. Samantha had achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder that causes disproportionate dwarfism. Warwick previously opened up about his wife's health after she was rushed to hospital with sepsis in 2018.

The actor told The Sun that her health dramatically declined ahead of a family caravan holiday. Speaking of the horror a few years later, he said: "The next few hours were the longest of my life as I waited on the ward with our children in the empty space left by Sam’s hospital bed. "I hoped it would not symbolise a future for us without her.". Sam had numerous operations due to her condition. It is thought she contracted sepsis after decompression surgery on her spine.