Warwick Davis says woman who helped him find love again is like comedy character
While receiving his Bafta Fellowship award, the 55-year old star of the Harry Potter and Star Wars film franchises thanked an anonymous woman called 'Sponge' for their help after his wife, Samantha Davis, died last year.
Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Davis said the woman reminded him of Cooper – who was also on the ITV talk show – playing Kerry Mucklowe in the BBC's Cotswolds-set series This Country.
Davis referenced the name sometimes given to Harry Potter antagonist Lord Voldemort – He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named – to avoid identifying the mystery woman.
He said: 'I can reveal, sticking with the Harry Potter theme, Sponge is indeed She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
'Sponge very much reminds me of Kerry. Some of the things she says and her accent.'
Kerry is a character created and played by Cooper in mockumentary series This Country, which follows the lives of two cousins in a small village in the West Country.
Cooper and her brother Charlie won Baftas for the series, including for their acting performances.
Davis rose to fame as an 11-year old after being cast as an Ewok in Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi.
He later starred in Willow, Leprechaun and Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy before being cast as charms teacher Professor Filius Flitwick in the Harry Potter series.
Davis was awarded the Bafta Fellowship in February, which is described by the academy as the 'highest accolade Bafta can bestow on any one figure, recognising an exceptional contribution to film, television or games'.
He gave an emotional speech referencing his late wife, who died last March, aged 53, and their two surviving children.
He told Ross how 'supportive' his wife was, saying she always encouraged him despite the difficult hours that came with the job.
The couple co-founded dwarfism charity Little People UK, which helps provide 'friendship and financial support and guidance' to people with the condition and their families and friends.
In his Bafta speech, Davis said: '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, encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands.
'Since then life has been pretty tough for me but thanks to the support of our wonderful children, Annabelle and Harrison, I have been able to continue working and engaging in life.
'Special mention too 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 love again.'
The Jonathan Ross Show airs on Saturday at 9.20pm on ITV and ITVX.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
28 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Strictly Come Dancing's Alex Kingston's devastating four words after Ralph Fiennes left her
Strictly Come Dancing's Alex Kingston's devastating four words after Ralph Fiennes left her Before Alex Kingston found happiness with her current husband, the Doctor Who actress endured a painful split from an Oscar nominee after his affair with an older woman Ralph Fiennes and Alex Kingston met in the 80s (Image: NY Daily News via Getty Images) Strictly Come Dancing's newest addition, Alex Kingston, has weathered a rocky romantic past before finding stability with her present husband. The 62-year-old former Doctor Who star is preparing to captivate viewers on the BBC's cherished dancing competition. Alex endeared herself to Doctor Who enthusiasts through her role as River Song, appearing alongside David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi during their respective runs on the legendary science fiction programme. Her distinguished television portfolio encompasses parts in the US medical series ER, costume dramas including The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Arrow, and A Discovery of Witches. The performer has always been candid about her enthusiasm for joining Strictly. Back in 2019, she admitted: "Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we'd like to do Strictly Come Dancing. Then I discovered she's a trained ballet dancer. 'Hang on a minute! That's not fair!' So, I can't do it on a season when she is on it!", reports the Express. Alex faced heartbreak when her relationship with Ralph Fiennes came to an end (Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) Article continues below Away from the cameras, Alex has endured her share of personal upheaval. She encountered Oscar-nominated performer Ralph Fiennes whilst studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1983. The pair wed a decade later, though their union collapsed catastrophically when Ralph became involved with a woman 18 years his senior. Looking back on their separation, Alex previously said: "We were like strangers - very fragile," according to the Mirror. "His mother was dying and somehow we thought the wedding was going to heal everything. But that was crazy, of course." In 1995, Ralph Fiennes took to the stage in Hamlet at Hackney Empire, starring opposite Francesca Annis—who portrayed Gertrude, his character's mother. Despite their age difference, Ralph, who was 32 at the time, left his partner Alex to pursue a romance with 50-year-old Francesca Annis. It was reported Francesca, a mother of three with photographer Patrick Wiseman, left him for the actor. Alex opened up about her emotional distress after their separation in an interview with the Daily Mail, sharing: "I was feeling worthless, that I would never find anyone else as good as my husband, which is ridiculous, but I had so little self-esteem." She also reflected on the experience, saying: "Divorce is awful but it is also something I don't regret happening to me because it has shaped who I am now." Alex is gearing up for Strictly 2025 (Image:for Pragnell) Ralph and Francesca maintained a relationship for a decade from 1997 to 2006, brushing aside any concerns about their age gap. Francesca once addressed the topic, saying: "Of course I don't spend days agonising over the age difference. How can I? There is nothing I can do about it,". She added: "Ralph and I have been together ten years now so, whatever happens, we have had a very good, different relationship and an interesting time." However, their relationship came under strain following allegations by Romanian singer Cornelia Crisan, who claimed she had a two-year affair with Ralph. The day after the allegations surfaced, Ralph and Francesca announced their split, with a statement saying: "Miss Annis confirms today that she and Ralph Fiennes are to separate." Ralph's unfaithfulness had a profound effect on Alex, who admitted to considering taking her own life. She subsequently married German author Florian Haertel and the couple welcomed their daughter Salome in 2001. Their union came to an end in 2009, with the divorce being finalised in 2013. Thankfully, Alex has since found joy again, now wedded to TV presenter Jonathan Stamp. The couple exchanged vows in Italy in 2015. Article continues below Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to BBC later this year.
Scotsman
28 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Three Doors Down at the Gilded Balloon
Gordon (Kieran Hodgson) enrages Cathy (Doon Mackichan) with his impression on her in Two Doors Down (Picture: BBC / Alan Peebles) We've made it to the halfway point of the Fringe at Gilded Balloon, we opened a new venue, supported hundreds of new artists and battled storm Floris. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Alan Davies' superb sell-out run closed on Sunday. It's been a pleasure seeing him return to stand up with a brilliant and very powerful show after a 10 year gap. Jenny Eclair kicked-off our 40 Years of Fringe: In Conversation series last week. It was great to have her back at Gilded Balloon and look back at her wonderful career highlights. Doon Mackichan and Kieran Hodgson of 'Three Doors Down' are doing three shows chatting about the TV series. Then Michelle McManus will interview new Scottish comics on the last weekend. Rosie O'Donnell also finished her sell out run on Sunday with a huge display of four large confetti canons set off in the venue to celebrate her debut show at the Fringe. I have to say that the staff were not too chuffed to have to clear up tons of confetti – but the show was definitely worth it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As a run ends, another begins and I'm overjoyed to be welcoming Doon Mackichan, Fiona Allen and Sally Phillips back together with Smack the Pony opening this Sunday 17th. All four shows sold out well in advance of the festival so I can't wait to see what they will get up to. I will try and persuade them to come back together for more shows in future. With funny women at the core of Gilded Balloon's programming each year, it's been a great joy to relaunch our Women in Comedy mixed-bill show from the 90s. Featuring all women and marginalised genders from across the festival, the show runs at 9pm Thursday to Sunday for the next two weekends and is a great way to see some legends of the scene as well as rising talent. A personal highlight for me this year has been the fabulous Gail Watson starring in the moving and hilarious show Faye's Red Lines. A star of Edinburgh's beloved panto, Gail has been charming audiences and has now been shortlisted for a Scottish Theatre Award on the Fringe, alongside some glowing reviews. I'm excited to see all of our new and ongoing shows continue to charm and amaze audiences this year. This includes the Heats for So You Think You're Funny? which started this week. This is our comedy competition for new and exciting comics from across the country, and I can't wait to see the top acts in our grand final next Thursday. It's always a great opportunity for Edinburgh locals to discover and support huge talents before they're household names, so I would absolutely encourage anyone looking for something different to come along to the Gilded Balloon. After 40 years in the business it's a pleasure to bring all these shows to the Fringe!
Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley says 'my mum hated me' in on-air confession
During Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain, presenters Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Madeley detailed the thousands of people waiting to get their A-Level results today. Richard Madeley has admitted his mum hated him for a decision he made in his younger years during a recent instalment of Good Morning Britain. At the beginning of Thursday's (August 14) episode of the ITV show, which saw viewers call Richard 'disrespectful' this week, the 69-year-old presenter highlighted the students awaiting their A-Level results. While speaking to his co-star Charlotte Hawkins, he questioned: "What did you get, Charlie?" She replied: "I got three A's" Richard joked: "Oh there's always one isn't there?!" However, she confessed those were not her predicted grades and the didn't do that well in her mocks. During the conversation, the attention turned to Richard, who revealed he had left school at a young age.
