Actor and TV presenter Warwick Davis has received this year’s BAFTA Fellowship – the British Academy’s highest honour – less than a year after his wife’s sad passing.

During an emotional appearance at the awards, Warwick, 55, thanked a mystery person for helping him feel love again in his life. The emotional Harry Potter star said in his acceptance speech: “Special mention should go to Sponge. You know who you are. Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and to 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 added that “life has been pretty tough” since losing his wife Samantha aged 53 last March.

“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 Surrey-born actor is best known for appearing in the Harry Potter and Star Wars film series and has 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.”

Previous recipients include Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Scorsese, Sidney Poitier and Dame Helen Mirren.

Warwick, who lives with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita – a rare form of dwarfism – lost his beloved wife Samantha last year. In April 2024, the actor paid tribute to his wife as he wrote: “Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs.” He went on to describe his late spouse as his “most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career”.

“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,” he added in the statement shared with the BBC. Samantha and Warwick’s children Harrison and Annabelle also paid tribute, saying their late mother’s “love and happiness carried us through our whole lives.

“Mum is our best friend and we’re honoured to have received a love like hers,” Harrison and Annabelle added. “With her by my side, I was sure I could achieve anything, it was like having a super-power,” Warwick continued with his tribute. “Without Sammy, there would have been no Tenable quiz show, no Willow series. No Idiot Abroad Series 3. She was passionate about helping people, without judgment. She had time for everyone and a genuine listening ear.”

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