Latest news with #Sponge
Irish Daily Mirror
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Warwick Davis' rarely seen daughter shares sweet moment with boyfriend
Warwick Davis' daughter Annabelle has posted an adorable photo with her seldom-seen beau, as the family rallies around following Samantha's passing. The 28 year old actress, who first made her relationship public in 2021, tends to keep her love life under wraps. Annabelle and her partner Charlie were spotted at a summer bash, sharing an intimate moment. The Dumping Ground actress dazzled in a pink floral frock, exchanging tender looks with Charlie. Charlie, a music producer and photographer by trade, looked dapper in a navy suit paired with a pink tie, complementing Annabelle's outfit. This heartwarming update follows Warwick's own announcement earlier this year that he had discovered new love after the heartbreaking loss of his wife. The couple shares a passion for creativity and caravanning, continuing the Davis family's tradition of holiday adventures. Warwick's late wife Samantha, whom he endearingly referred to as Sammy, passed away at 53 last spring due to complications from spinal surgery. At the BAFTAs in February, Warwick touched hearts as he disclosed his newfound happiness, reports the Mirror. In his poignant Fellowship award acceptance speech, he gave a mysterious nod to 'Sponge', stating: "Special mention should go to Sponge, you know who you are. Annabelle and Warwick Davis (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) Annabelle Davis - Warwick Davis' daughter shows off new boyfriend after dad finds love again after mum's tragic death. (Image: Instagram) "Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and for helping me to laugh and to love again." Later, on the Jonathan Ross Show, Warwick faced curiosity about the identity of 'Sponge'. He replied: "I can reveal, sticking with the Harry Potter theme, Sponge is indeed She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named." Warwick Davis couldn't help but draw parallels between the enigmatic Sponge and Daisy May Cooper's iconic This Country character Kerry Mucklowe as he dished out more clues. The star of Harry Potter fame continued: "Sponge very much reminds me of Kerry. Some of the things she says and her accent." During his emotional BAFTAs speech, Warwick paid a heartfelt tribute to Samantha while his children Annabelle and Harrison watched from the front row. Choking up, he confessed: "When you go through your career as an actor, you sometimes become a bit reluctant to do certain jobs thinking another one will come along and be a bit better. "She [Samantha] would always say 'get out there and do it'. She was great at networking as well, always talking to producers and getting me the work in the next job. Very supportive." He stressed the importance of support in the industry, saying: "You need that in this business because it is difficult. You've got to have someone who is very supportive of you being away on occasions and working ridiculous hours." In a tragic update, an inquest this year concluded that Samantha passed away in March 2024 due to a cardiac arrest after complications from essential surgery. Following the inquest, Warwick's legal team has initiated an inquiry into the possibility of medical negligence being the cause of Samantha's death. Warwick and Samantha first crossed paths on the set of the 1988 fantasy film Willow, when he was a mere 17 years old and she was 16. Warwick, already a rising star due to his role as Ewok Wicket in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, met Samantha who had previously worked on the 1986 cult classic Labyrinth alongside her renowned father, Peter Burroughs. The couple tied the knot in the summer of 1991. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Warwick Davis on the mystery woman who helped him find love again
Actor Warwick Davis has once again referenced a mystery woman who helped him 'find love again'. In February, 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' who had helped him 'to laugh and love again' after his wife, Samantha Davis, died last March, aged 53. Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show this week, Davis said the mystery woman reminded him of Daisy May 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, saying: '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 year, 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.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Warwick Davis thanks 'She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named' for helping him love again
Actor Warwick Davis has candidly opened up on 'finding love again'. He gave an emotional speech at the Baftas last month, referencing his late wife, Samantha, who died last March, aged 53, and their two surviving children. While receiving his Bafta Fellowship award, the 55-year-old star thanked an anonymous woman called 'Sponge' for their help whilst he grieved. 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. No one deserves the BAFTA Fellowship more than Mr Warwick Davis Huge Congratulations, enjoy your evening 🎊🎊🎊 @WarwickADavis 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺#BAFTA2025 #WarwickDavis — A TV Friend 📺 🍭 #FBPE Stan Nurse Crane Mr Jones (@atvfriend) February 16, 2025 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.' 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 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. Recommended reading: Warwick Davis found out about his Bafta fellowship award while 'on the toilet' Warwick Davis dedicates Bafta film fellowship award to late wife '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.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Warwick Davis says woman who helped him find love again is like comedy character
Actor Warwick Davis has said the woman who helped him 'find love again' reminds him of a comedy character played by Daisy May Cooper. 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.
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
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.
