BAFTA viewers were left emotional on Sunday evening as the prestigious awards ceremony aired a heartbreaking in memoriam section during the broadcast.
The British Academy Television Awards returned for a ceremony full of glitz and glamour to celebrate incredible television in 2022, hosted by comedian and The IT Crowd actor Richard Ayoade.
The broadcast awards ceremony paid tribute to stars who have died in the past year, including Jamal Edwards and Peter Bowles.
The section also paid tribute to the loss of Betty White, Tom Parker and Gary Waldhorn as well as Dennis Waterman, who died on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: “Such sad news about Dennis Waterman RIP," as another posted: "Janice Long went too early."
A third tweeted: "Seeing Sean Lock come up gets me every single time."
Another posted: "So many young faces in the BAFTA segment on those who left us this year."
Another viewer sadly wrote: "So many massive stars lost this past year."
The late June Brown was among those remembered during the awards ceremony, after the actress best-known for playing Dot Cotton on EastEnders died earlier this year.
Dot died with her family at her side at the age of 95, after which tributes poured in to celebrate the star.
Adam Woodyatt, who played Ian Beale on the programme, wrote: “I’m lost for words, something June never was. So many memories, so much fun. Just purely and simply an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career, I was fortunate to have shared a small part of it.”
EastEnders’ John Altman recollected how she saved his daughter’s life by preventing her from drowning, remembering how he thanked her for stepping in.
Altman, who played Brown’s on-screen son ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton, said that it “makes me emotional thinking about it”, explaining that they were on a trip to Gibraltar during the summer of 1992 for a charity cricket tournament.
Dennis Waterman tragically died today at the age of 74, his family confirmed in a statement.
The actor, who was best known for his roles in television shows Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks, died on Sunday afternoon with wife Pam at his side.
A statement said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully in hospital in Spain.”
“The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”
