Kate Beckinsale hit out at BAFTA bosses in a furious Instagram post on Thursday, in the wake of her stepfather Roy Battersby’s death at the age of 87.
On Monday, Kate confirmed her TV director stepfather’s death with a video montage, which included a quick announcement that he had died the same day.
The British actress, 50, has been quietly caring for both her beloved mother Judy Loe, who married Roy in 1997, and stepfather as they battle a slew of health issues.
Ahead of next month’s 76th British Academy Film Awards in London, Kate took to Instagram to reveal she had spoken to bosses about Roy’s inclusion in the show’s In Memoriam segment, in which stars and industry members are honoured.
Alongside an image from 1996, when he won Alan Clarke Award, Kate wrote: ‘BAFTA told me they could not guarantee he would be included “in memoriam”… So a man dead less than a week has to audition to decide if his death is worth mentioning’.
Kate Beckinsale hit out at BAFTA bosses in a furious Instagram post on Thursday, in the wake of her stepfather Roy Battersby’s death at the age of 87
Ahead of next month’s 76th British Academy Film Awards in London, Kate took to Instagram to reveal she had spoken to bosses about Roy’s inclusion in the show’s In Memoriam segment, in which stars and industry members are honoured
Kate confessed she was ‘paralysed, sick and sickened’ by the decision from BAFTA, given Roy’s vast body of work, and his achievement award from the Academy.
In her caption, she wrote: ‘Here is a photo just after I presented my stepdad with the lifetime achievement BAFTA for his incredible work in television from Colin Welland’s “Leeds United!” about the first all female strike in the clothing trade…
‘”Roll on Four o clock “, the documentary “The Body” with music by Roger Waters and commentary by the poet Adrian Mitchell , 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…
‘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.’
When contacted by MailOnline, a BAFTA spokesperson said: ‘We were very sorry to hear of Roy Battersby’s recent passing – he was a renowned and trailblazing director.
He died Wednesday, January 10, at the age of 87. The British actress, 50, has been quietly been caring for Roy and her mother Judy Loe in recent months (pictured in 2021)
Roy was hospitalized in Los Angeles last month after suffering ‘a massive stroke’ while battling two forms of cancer , which he was diagnosed with in summer 2023
‘Roy Battersby was awarded the Alan Clarke Award in 1996, a BAFTA Special Television Award.
‘We confirm he will be honoured in our forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards in May, and on the In Memoriam Section on our website.’
On Wednesday, the actress then took to social media to honour the patriarch, who was hospitalised in LA last month after suffering ‘a massive stroke’ while battling two forms of cancer, which were diagnosed in summer 2023.
Kate’s mother Judy married Roy 18 years after Kate’s father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died.
Roy enjoyed his own successful career as a director, working on major British on-screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost.
Kate’s Instagram post on Monday included an announcement about her stepfather’s death on Wednesday.
It noted that his funeral would be held back in London, with details forthcoming.
‘I have no words yet,’ Kate captioned the video, before thanking a fan account for editing it. ‘Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost.’
The clip opened with a moving recording of Roy recalling how he was forced to hide in a shelter during the Blitz early in World War II as Nazi bombs rained down.
He called the eventually announced of Victory in Europe Day a ‘wonderful thing,’ because it meant no more hiding in shelters, and young men no longer had to leave their families to go off to fight across the continent.
Kate’s actress mother Judy Loe married Roy in 1997, 18 years after Kate’s father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died; seen in 1986
The video also featured several sweet photos of Kate with her stepfather and her mother, including a hilarious photo showing her and Roy beaming at each other while holding playfully insulting tea cups.
Kate rushed from the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday January 7 to the hospital, sharing photos of herself on the red carpet and by Roy’s bedside with the caption: ‘Golden globes 2024 start to end.’
She was still clad in her glamorous Atelier Zuhra gown for the hospital visit, as she ate a burger and chatted to her friends and family in Roy’s room.
Her friends and followers were quick to check in on the star, with one commenting: ‘I don’t know how you made it through last night with all that is going on. You are strong and a consummate pro.
‘Having to leave the side of your beautiful Roy to honor this commitment at the Globes was above and beyond. Sending love and prayers to you and your family. I’m so happy you were able to make it back to the hospital. ❤️’
Kate responded: ‘thank you and thank you for your supportive texts all the way through. That was so kind xx’
Kate’s mother Judy Loe’s has been fighting her own private health battle. The 76-year-old was diagnosed with a longstanding illness six years ago — something Kate has alluded to in several emotional Instagram posts over the past year.
Kate shared a video montage to Instagram on Monday, which included an announcement about her stepfather’s death on Wednesday. It noted that his funeral would be held back in London
Kate rushed from the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday January 7 to the hospital, sharing photos of herself on the red carpet and by Roy’s bedside
Her friends and followers were quick to check in on the star, with one commenting: ‘I don’t know how you made it through last night’
The tribute video opened with Roy recalling his struggles hiding in shelters during the Blitz in World War II and his elation after VE Day was declared
The video also featured several sweet photos of Kate with her stepfather and her mother, including a hilarious photo showing her and Roy beaming at each other while holding playfully insulting tea cups
Kate appeared to have fun pestering her stepfather in another sweetly unguarded photo
Roy and Kate’s actress mother Judy Loe were dressed up as nobles from centuries earlier in a snap highlighting the fun they had as a family in his final years
She was still clad in her glamorous Atelier Zuhra gown for the hospital visit, as she ate a burger and chatted to her friends and family in Roy’s room
The Underworld actress flew Judy and Roy out to the US from their home in the UK so she could care for them full-time at her Los Angeles home.
‘Kate has been caring for her parents, who both have serious illnesses, for most of the year,’ a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com late last year. ‘She brought them to her home in LA and has made looking after them her number one priority.’
The insider revealed that the Snow Angels star — whose biological father Richard Beckinsale died in 1979 at 31 from a heart attack in his sleep — has been feeling the emotional toll in recent months.
‘She was spotted this week several times crying in the corridors of UCLA hospital,’ the source added. ‘Her friends are very concerned that she has been under relentless strain for months and hardly sleeping or eating.
‘Kate appears to be very strong but this has been incredibly hard and, given that she lost her father so young, is affecting her very deeply. Her friends are concerned for her own health.’
A second source explained that her mother Judy has chosen to keep her health battle private, stating: ‘She’s extraordinary, you wouldn’t even know by looking at her. She has been keeping a very positive attitude throughout everything.’
Kate’s biological father Richard Beckinsale was best known for his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp.
He also had a daughter — Samantha, 55 — who is his only child from his marriage to Margaret Bradley.
Kate has alluded to her parents’ ailing health online in recent months, sharing images of her mother undergoing treatment in hospital.
In August she encouraged fans to do what makes them happy in the Instagram caption, writing: ‘Embrace joy. Accept grief. Wear feathers. Sing. Do what makes you feel happy even for a moment. Pair grief and sickness and fear with as much life and laughter and celebration as you possibly can.
‘It doesn’t mean you are having some sort of crisis. It means you are choosing life, fiercely. Be brave, and when you don’t feel brave, listen. Laugh hard, dance hard, cry hard, love hard with those you trust.’
Kate has alluded to recent struggles in emotional Instagram posts about her parents over the past year; pictured in November 2023
Kate previously shared a snap of Roy undergoing treatment in hospital
Her 76-year-old mom has been privately battling her own illness for the past six years
Kate’s close bond with her parents has been a source of delight for social media fans who often share messages of praise for the family’s visible love for one another
Roy enjoyed a successful career as a director, working on major British screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost; pictured with his Alan Clarke Award at the 1996 Bafta Craft Awards
She continued: ‘Spread love when you can. Read. Stay in bed and cry when it’s from all sides and feels like an avalanche. Try not to be mean, or to take on others meanness. People can break.
‘Be kind. Fight with everything you’ve got for your loved ones , and for your own spirit x.’
However, the Much Ado About Nothing actress has been determined to put on a brave face and do all she can to continue supporting her loved ones during this difficult time.
‘Kate has been attempting to maintain a positive public and professional presence, and remain upbeat for her family,’ the source added.
The Underworld actress flew Judy and Roy out to the US from their home in the UK so she could care for them full-time at her Los Angeles home
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