Star Wars star Warwick Davis reveals the surprising place he learned of top BAFTA honour

Warwick Davis has led a remarkable life and has enjoyed critical and commercial success for star turns in Star Wars, Harry Potter and the title role in Willow.

Yet something still amazes the 55-year-old actor, such as how he found out he was getting a BAFTA Fellowship and why he thought it was a hoax.

Speaking to media on the red carpet, the British star admitted he was on the toilet when he learnt he would receive the honour at the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards in London for achievements during his four-decade long career.

“I was actually on the toilet reading my emails and received one from BAFTA, with a letter attached, saying: ‘You’ve been awarded a fellowship'” he said.

“I was excited but thought, ‘Hang on, it could be a scam’, so I checked the email address it came from, and it was indeed a BAFTA email address.

“Then I got very excited and jumped off the loo and ran around the house telling the kids and the dog.”

While receiving the BAFTA Fellowship during the film awards, he honoured his “wonderful wife” Samantha in an emotional speech.

Samantha sadly passed away on March 24, 2024.

“She was always so supportive of my career, and encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands,” he said.

“However, I soon noticed that her level of enthusiasm for me taking a particular role was often relative to how much she wanted that new designer handbag,” he joked.

 

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He went on to share that “life has been pretty tough” since the loss of his wife but with the help of his children, he has been able to push forward.

“But thanks to the support of our wonderful children, Annabelle and Harrison, I’ve been able to continue working and engaging in life,” he said.

“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 to love again.”

– with BANG