BAFTA responds after backlash over Matthew Perry's in memoriam omission

London, UK - The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has said Friends actor Matthew Perry will be honored at the organization's TV awards in May after he was not featured in the in memoriam segment at Sunday's film awards ceremony.

Matthew Perry will be honored at the BAFTA TV awards in May after fans expressed outrage he had been excluded from the film awards' in memoriam segment.
Matthew Perry will be honored at the BAFTA TV awards in May after fans expressed outrage he had been excluded from the film awards' in memoriam segment.  © Collage: IMAGO / Cover-Images & IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham performed a pared down version of Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time in Sunday's in memoriam segment, which featured tributes to stars including Jane Birkin, Glynis Johns, Carl Weathers, Julian Sands, Tom Wilkinson, and Tina Turner.

Also featured were Harry Belafonte, Alan Arkin, and Sir Michael Gambon.

However, Perry, who died in October at the age of 54, was not mentioned.

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In response to a user on X questioning Perry's absence from the segment, the organization's official account said: "Matthew Perry will be remembered in this year's TV Awards ceremony."

The account also linked to the in memoriam section on the BAFTA website, which said Perry's Friends fame "brought film opportunities, including Fools Rush In (1997), The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and its sequel, The Whole Ten Yards (2004), and 17 Again (2009)."

Kate Beckinsale urges inclusion of Roy Battersby

Kate Beckinsale's stepfather, Roy Battersby, will also be honored at the BAFTA TV awards.
Kate Beckinsale's stepfather, Roy Battersby, will also be honored at the BAFTA TV awards.  © MICHAEL TRAN / AFP

BAFTA has also confirmed TV director Roy Battersby will be honored at the May ceremony after his actor stepdaughter Kate Beckinsale publicly urged for his inclusion.

Last week, Underworld film series star Beckinsale said she was sent an email from the TV and film awards saying that he will be considered for being part of the in memoriam segment for the TV awards ceremony, but it was not guaranteed.

Director Battersby, who won the Alan Clarke Award for outstanding contribution to television in 1996, died aged 87 earlier this month.

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He was known for his work on crime series Cracker, Between The Lines, Inspector Morse, and A Touch Of Frost and Tim Roth-starring BBC drama King Of The Ghetto.

A Bafta spokesperson called Battersby "a renowned and trailblazing director," and said the awards show was "sorry to hear" of his death.

The statement added: "We confirm he will be honored in our forthcoming Bafta television awards in May, and on the in memoriam section on our website."

Sunday's film ceremony saw Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer named best film and sweep the awards for best director, best actor, and best supporting actor.

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / Cover-Images & IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

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