‘I am paralysed, sick and sickened,’ the actress wrote (Picture: Toni Anne Barson/WireImage)
Kate Beckinsale has shared a blistering message directed at Bafta after the death of her stepdad, saying that she feels ‘paralysed’ and ‘sick’ after her efforts to have him included in the award ceremony’s in memoriam segment.
Earlier this week, the actress confirmed that her stepfather Roy Battersby had died at the age of 87, saying that she had ‘no words’ following her loss.
A statement released by the family read: ‘It is with great sorrow that the family of film and television director Roy Battersby announce the news of his recent death after a brief period of illness.
‘He passed away peacefully on 10 January 2024, in Los Angeles surrounded by family, aged 87. Funeral will be held in London, details to follow.’
In a new post shared on Instagram, Beckinsale, 50, explained that she was in contact with Bafta in the hope that Battersby would be honoured at this year’s ceremony, with the film awards taking place on Sunday February 18, and the TV awards expected to be held in May.
The Underworld star posted a picture of herself with Battersby in 1995, when she presented him with the lifetime achievement Bafta ‘for his incredible work in television’.
Beckinsale expressed her heartbreak over her family’s devastating loss (Picture: Instagram/Kate Beckinsale)
Battersby married Beckinsale’s mother Judy Loe in 1997 (Picture: Instagram/Kate Beckinsale)
She listed several of his greatest works, including Colin Welland’s Leeds United! ‘about the first all female strike in the clothing trade, the first seven episodes of the ground breaking Tomorrow’s World to Cracker, Between The Lines, Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost, the first Edward Bond play ever written for television starring the late Bernard Hill and the late, mesmerising Charlotte Coleman and countless others’.
Beckinsale continued: ‘Today Bafta told me they could not guarantee he would be included in their “in memoriam” tribute, to honour the industry members we have lost.
‘So a man dead less than a week somehow has to audition in front of a committee after a decades long career in which he has been awarded from said organisation that has awarded him the highest accolade they have to decide if his death is worth mentioning.
‘If his work, his life ,his craft, his mentoring, his heart and soul are worthy of a mention that he is gone. That, that has broken my heart all over again. I am paralysed, sick and sickened and I will honour him and his work every day of my life.’
Battersby was a TV director who worked on prpductions including Between The Lines, Inspector Morse and A Touch of Frost (Picture: Instagram/Kate Beckinsale)
Beckinsale immediately received a plethora of supportive messages underneath her Instagram post, with Davina McCall among those who liked the post.
An Instagram user called Natt commented: ‘That’s horrific. Bafta need to take a long hard look at themselves. He deserves better. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.
‘The grief is a testament to how loved and amazing he was 😢💕 all my love.’
Another user called Rachel wrote: ‘How awful for you & your family even more so while it’s all so raw still. I’m so sorry you’ve had such a heartless response from Bafta, they need to do better. Sending you all lots of love xx.’
Film producer Mark Adderley added: ‘Surely not … BAFTA????? Oh Kate xxx.’
A follower named Caroline remarked: ‘That’s terrible! I hope BAFTA are listening and taking note xx.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Bafta for comment.
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‘I am paralysed, sick and sickened,’ the actress wrote.
