Warwick Davis reveals he has found love again in emotional BAFTAs tribute to late wife
Warwick Davis revealed that he has found love again nearly a year after the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Samantha. While accepting the BAFTA Fellowship Award on Sunday, the 55-year-old actor fought back tears as he thanked a mystery person he referred to as
'Sponge'
for helping him heal.
"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," he said, his voice breaking.
Davis dedicated the prestigious award to his late wife, who passed away in March 2024 at the age of 53. The couple had been married for 33 years and shared three children. Their daughter Annabelle and son Harrison were seen crying in the audience as Davis spoke about his grief.
"Above all, I would like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy. She was always so supportive of my career and encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands," he said.
The
Harry Potter
and
Star Wars
star also credited his children for helping him push forward through his darkest times.
"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 audience at the BAFTAs gave Davis a standing ovation, and social media was flooded with emotional reactions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Tom Felton returns as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway
Tom Felton will return to the stage as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, marking his debut on the Great White Way. Felton will begin performances on November 11, 2025, for a 19-week engagement, running through March 22, 2026. This will be the first time a cast member from the original Harry Potter film series has joined the Broadway production of the play. Set 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Cursed Child follows the now-adult characters, including Draco Malfoy, as they navigate the challenges of parenthood while sending their children off to Hogwarts. Felton, who portrayed the infamous Slytherin in the Harry Potter films, shared his excitement about returning to the role, saying it will be a 'full-circle moment' for him. At the age of Draco's character in the play, Felton feels a special connection to the role and expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with the "greatest fan community" in the world. The production, which originally opened at the Lyric Theatre in 2018, was modified after the pandemic. The Broadway version was condensed into a single, 3.5-hour show, compared to its original two-part format. Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender highlighted the significance of Felton's return to the role, noting that his portrayal of Draco as an adult facing parenthood and legacy will bring fresh depth to the character. 'We feel incredibly fortunate to welcome Tom into our Cursed Child family,' said the producers, emphasizing the excitement of fans worldwide to see Felton back as the iconic Malfoy. This marks a milestone for both Felton's career and the ongoing success of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Arabella Stanton hailed as perfect Hermione for Harry Potter series, after audition tape goes viral
An audition tape featuring Arabella Stanton, the actress cast as Hermione Granger in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, has captivated fans and drawn widespread comparisons to the original portrayal by Emma Watson. The 11-year-old Stanton, who has already gained acclaim for her lead role as Matilda in London's West End production of Matilda the Musical from 2023 to 2024, appears in the resurfaced footage showing her auditioning for the role of Hermione. While it is unclear if the video is her official audition for the Harry Potter series, viewers on social media were quick to praise her performance, noting striking similarities to Watson's interpretation of the character. On TikTok, fans expressed astonishment, with one user commenting, 'Are we sure she wasn't lip syncing Emma Watson's audio? That was uncanny.' Another wrote, 'Yeah that's Hermione Granger 100 percent. The facial expressions, the attitude, the tone. Nailed it.' Others echoed the sentiment, stating the clip should put any doubts about her casting 'to rest.' Fans have also compared Stanton's performance to a blend of Emma Watson and Jenna Ortega, applauding her for capturing the essence of the beloved book character. 'She's literally PERFECT for this role! I wasn't so excited they were remaking HP but I'm kinda looking forward to it now,' commented one viewer. The casting for the highly anticipated series was announced earlier this week, with Dominic McLaughlin set to play Harry Potter and Alastair Stout cast as Ron Weasley. Creator J.K. Rowling praised the young leads as 'wonderful,' stating she 'couldn't be happier' with the choices. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praised the extensive casting process led by Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, saying, 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.' The series will also feature veteran actors including Nick Frost, John Lithgow, and Paul Whitehouse, adding further excitement to the project. The enthusiasm surrounding Stanton's audition tape highlights the anticipation and high expectations for HBO's new take on the Harry Potter universe.
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Express Tribune
HBO locks in the trio: Harry, Ron, and Hermione cast finalized for Harry Potter series
The upcoming Harry Potter TV series on HBO has officially cast its three main leads. Dominic McLaughlin will take on the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will portray Ron Weasley. These casting announcements come after an extensive search that saw more than 30,000 actors auditioning for the iconic roles, following an open casting call launched by HBO last fall. Filming for the series is expected to commence this summer. In a statement, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod expressed their excitement, saying, 'After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.' They also thanked the thousands of young actors who auditioned for the roles. The casting of McLaughlin, Stanton, and Stout marks a significant milestone for the new series. While the trio are relatively unknown, McLaughlin has appeared in the upcoming comedy Grow, starring Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel. Stanton has previous experience playing Matilda in Matilda: The Musical on the West End, and Stout's role as Ron will be his first major acting gig. Other notable cast members include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid, while Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse will portray Quirinus Quirrell and Argus Filch, respectively. The Harry Potter series is produced by Gardiner and Mylod, with executive production from J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman. Despite recent controversies surrounding Rowling's views on the transgender community, HBO has affirmed that the show will remain separate from any personal politics.
