BAFTA viewers were left "appalled" after the award show's In Memoriam segment missed out late actor Bernard Cribbins.
The veteran actor, who played Albert Perks in the 1970 film The Railway Children, died aged 93 in July 2022.
The children’s TV star and entertainer visited the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Oakworth Station and the Bronte Parsonage, as part of filming for the wartime drama.
The actor was also known for roles in the Carry On films, Doctor Who and the narrator of The Wombles.
But the lack of recognition in the BAFTA’s tributes to legends loved and lost has landed organisers in hot water.
The evening’s host Richard E. Grant later liked a tweet that described the situation as “appalling” and said BAFTA should be “disgusted in themselves”.
Sally Thomsett, who starred as Phyllis in The Railway Children, said: “H Darlings, have watched The BAFTA's on TV & I'm absolutely appalled that the fabulous Bernard Cribbins was not mentioned in stars that we've lost within the last year, they should be disgusted with themselves, words fail me.”
A petition has since been launched by fans urging BAFTA to “rectify its omission of the passing of film actor Bernard Cribbins at the 2023 awards”.
'Considered for inclusion' !!!
— Smithpeteralb71; ❤#YNWA❤ 🇺🇦 (@Smithpeteralb72) February 20, 2023
Actually don't bother BAFTA for you appear to have no idea about iconic British stars who were a success in films and on TV and as such should be mentioned at both awards ceremonies no question.
Bernard and Leslie were part of our lives for decades
What has BAFTA said?
BAFTA responded to viewers’ anger by stating Mr Cribbins features on the award ceremony’s online records, In Memory Of, first launched in 2006.
A spokesperson for BAFTA said: “With limited time in our broadcast it isn’t possible to honour all those who have sadly passed away. Bernard features in our online records at http://bafta.org/heritage/in-memory-of and given his influential work in TV, he will be considered for inclusion in the next Television Awards broadcast.”
One fan said: “Very poor decision, BAFTA. Literally not reading the room. Bernard Cribbins was & is an icon of the small & big screens, his appeal spanning generations. Unpardonable of you to have left him out of the visual tributes last night, would’ve taken seconds to have included him.”
Another said: “Each picture in the In Memoriam section was on the screen for two or three seconds ... if that. You didn't have room for another two or three seconds?”
One twitter user replied to BAFTA: “Come on @BAFTA your here to represent British filming industry which Bernard Cribbins made a very large contribution & much loved. Would have chosen better wording than ‘considered’.”
Another fan said: “Utter rubbish. With a career as long, varied and wonderful as his - films, TV, drama, comedy, children’s TV etc - he should have been one of the top picks for this segment, not someone knocked of the end due to “time restrictions” Appalling.”
Remembering Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins was remembered as a “creative genius” and a “legend” by those who worked with him following the news of his death.
Born in Oldham, Cribbins was revered for his versatility and became a favourite with young audiences all over the country as the, as well as for more than 100 appearances on the children’s favourite, Jackanory.
After appearing on stage for many years, Cribbins made his film debut in 1957’s Davy, before going on to work alongside some of British cinema’s biggest names in films such as Two Way Stretch, She, Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 AD and the 1967 version of Casino Royale.
In 1972, he played barman Felix Forsythe in director Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller Frenzy, which revolved around the hunt for a serial killer in London.
He also starred in several Carry On movies and had roles in TV favourites Coronation Street and the revamped Doctor Who.
He went on to appear regularly in the Doctor Who TV series as Wilfred Mott, the grandfather of the Doctor’s companion Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate.
Voyage Of The Damned, which was broadcast on Christmas Day in 2007, saw 13.3 million people tune in to watch the then-Doctor, David Tennant, battle to save the crew of a luxury space liner called the Titanic.
Cribbins featured in the episode alongside special guests including Kylie Minogue, Geoffrey Palmer, Clive Swift and Russell Tovey.
Fellow children’s TV presenter Lady Benjamin said she had “adored” working with Cribbins in the 1980s and described him as a “creative genius” who leaves a “lasting legacy”.
Off-screen, Cribbins enjoyed a successful musical career and had a number of hit records including 1962 comedy songs Hole In The Ground and Right Said Fred, both of which reached the UK singles chart top 10.
Hole In The Ground, about a dispute between a workman digging a hole and a busybody in a bowler hat, was one of playwright and actor Sir Noel Coward’s musical choices when he appeared on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs in 1963.
Arguably one of the roles he is most famous for was as station porter Albert Perks in The Railway Children, released in 1970.
The film adaptation of E Nesbit’s book chronicles the adventures of three children forced to move from London to Yorkshire after their father is imprisoned for being falsely accused of selling state secrets.
The film also starred a young Jenny Agutter and famously featured the tear-jerking moment at the film’s climax when Agutter’s character cries “daddy, my daddy” as they are reunited on a train platform.
In 2011 Cribbins received an OBE for services to drama for his long career.
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