Emotional Warwick Davis fights again tears as he pays tribute to his late spouse Samantha and admits he has discovered love once more whereas accepting the Fellowship Award on the BAFTAs

Warwick Davis became visibly emotional as he brought both tears and laughter from the audience during his heartfelt tribute to his late wife at the BAFTAs on Sunday night.

The actor, 55, was honoured with a BAFTA Fellowship, which recognises those who have made an ‘outstanding and exceptional’ contribution to the screen, and he dedicated the prize to his beloved wife Samantha, who died last year.

He was presented the award by his former Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton, while the audience were shown a montage of scenes from his famous projects, interspersed with clips from his fellow stars and family, praising his talents.

Taking to the stage to a standing ovation, Warwick began his speech: ‘This is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me… and I’ve been in Star Wars!

‘I’m going to keep this short, it’s been a long night… short, yes you can laugh.’ 

He went on: ‘I’m going to say thank you to my mum, my first agent, she’s the reason I am here tonight.’

Warwick Davis became visibly emotional as he brought both tears and laughter from the audience during his heartfelt tribute to his late wife at the BAFTAs on Sunday night 

The actor, 55, was honoured with a BAFTA Fellowship, which recognises those who have made an ‘outstanding and exceptional’ contribution to the screen, and he dedicated the prize to his beloved wife Samantha, who died last year (pictured together) 

He was presented the award by his former Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton , while the audience were shown a montage of scenes from his famous projects, interspersed with clips from his fellow stars and family, praising his talents

He then thanked all his team who supported him throughout his career and shared the award with them, before amending: ‘Sod that. I’ve done all the work, it’s for me! This is all mine.’

Warwick then became emotional as he dedicated the award to his beloved wife, Samantha, who tragically died last year.

Samantha, who was herself an actor, died on March 24 last year at the age of 53, and had been married to Warwick for 33 years, welcoming three children together.

Warwick said: ‘Above all I would like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy who died almost a year ago. She was always so supportive of my career and encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands.’

He also thanked their daughter Annabelle, 27, and son Harrison, 21, for helping him get through the tough year – with the two both seen crying in the audience.

He said: ‘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.’

Warwick then gave a special shout out to a mystery person he referred to as ‘sponge’ and thanked them for helping him ‘love again’.

Taking to the stage to a standing ovation, Warwick began his speech: ‘This is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me… and I’ve been in Star Wars!

Fighting back tears, he voice broke as he said: ‘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 concluded his speech by saying: ‘Finally thank you to BAFTA from the bottom of my heart for this incredible honour, I shall treasure it always. See you in the movies!’

The heartfelt speech caused the audience to become visibly emotional, while viewers at home were also left in tears.

They took to social media to praise Warwick’s talents and admit that his speech had ‘broken them’ and left then ‘absolutely sobbing’ and ‘crying my eyeballs all the way out!’

They gushed: ‘I wasn’t expecting to get teary whilst watching the BAFTAs, but Warwick Davis has set me off. It must be incredibly difficult to receive such an accolade without having that special loved one in your life anymore.’

‘I was NOT emotionally prepared for Warwick Davis’; ‘Oh god love you Warwick you’ve got me in tears’.

‘Warwick Davis and his kids have me BAWLING during the @BAFTA awards’; ‘Oh golly Warwick Davis setting me off.’

‘Warwick Davis deserves ALL of his flowers! The way we’ve all grown up watching him on screen from a young child to an adult tho. His speech about his wife who passed away a year ago truly had me choked up, we heart you Warwick! You’re an absolute legend!’

‘Warwick Davis shedding a tear for his late wife was heartbreaking, but so real. Grief isn’t something you can just switch off based on your environment.’

‘watching warwick davis win the bafta fellowship made me cry more than anything ever’; ‘Warwick Davis’ speech, bloody hell. What a great man, well deserved.’ 

‘Absolutely sobbing at Warwick Davis’ speech. What a legend’; ‘Warwick Davis crying my eyeballs all the way out!’

‘I’ve grown up with Warwick Davis, he seems like such a lovely men and he’s been in so so many awesome films. What an incredible career and hopefully he has many more films to come. The fact he has the crowd both laughing and crying shows he’s loved by all.’