BAFTAs 2023: British Academy Film Awards blasted for not mentioning Doctor Who star Bernard Cribbins in tributes

BAFTA is facing criticism after the late Bernard Cribbins was missing from the memorial section of this year’s awards ceremony.

The Oldham-born actor, known for his role in The Railway Children and Two-Way Stretch, died on 27 July last year at the age of 93.

The 76th annual British Academy Film Awards took place at The Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday (19 February) night.

Co-host Richard E Grant, who lost his wife Joan Washington in 2021, named those from the entertainment industry who died in the last 12 months as part of an annual tribute.

Actresses Olivia Newton-John and Angela Langsbury were among those honoured, alongside actors Robbie Coltrane, Leslie Phillips and William Hurt.

However, Bernard’s name was not mentioned despite his acting career spanning over seven decades.

Actress Sally Thomsett, who starred alongside Bernard in The Railway Children, hit out at BAFTA on Twitter for failing to mention the veteran actor.

She wrote: “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 XxXxX”.

One fan responded to Sally’s tweet, writing: “The Late Great Bernard Cribbins. BAFTA may have forgotten him, but we never will. RIP”.

Another Twitter user said they can’t think of anyone “more deserving” for a tribute than the Doctor Who star.

BAFTA have since addressed the criticism in a Tweet which reads: “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”.

However, another BAFTA viewer said this was not a “justified” excuse.

They wrote: “Was rather astonished to not see Bernard Cribbins being honoured. A national treasure held dear by the majority of the nation! Limited time isn’t a justified response, I’m sorry.”

Bernard rose to fame in the 1960’s for his appearance in comedy film Two-Way Stretch and his first of three appearances in films from the Carry On franchise.

In 2018, an autobiography, Bernard Who? 75 Years of Doing Just About Anything, was published and four-years-later, a successful social media campaign led to the autobiography being recorded as an audiobook. However this was left uncompleted at the time of Bernard’s death.