BAFTA TV Awards viewers have been left feeling ‘disgusted’ as a beloved star is snubbed from the In Memoriam segment – but there’s a good reason.
The star-studded ceremony was held at the Royal Festival Hall and hosted by Traitors US presenter Alan Cumming.
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During the ceremony, French violinist Esther Abrami performed the song “Apple Tree”, as a tribute was paid to the TV careers of several actors, presenters and other notable figures.
Among them were TV doctor Michael Moseley, EastEnders and The Bill star Roberta Taylor, Going for Gold host Henry Kelly, Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne, and Dr Kildare and Shogun actor Richard Chamberlain.
Coronation Street actor Timothy West and Man About the House star Brian Murphy were also included – after their omission from the Bafta’s earlier this year sparked criticism reported The Independent.
But fans were left unimpressed as they noticed that Downton Abbey and Harry Potter star Dame Maggie Smith, and star of stage and screen Dame Joan Plowright had been missed from the list.
“No Maggie Smith?? Feels like quite an oversight,” said one person on social media.
Another added: “They left out Dame Maggie Smith from the list of those who died during the last year. DISGUSTING. SHAME on you.”
“No mention of Dame Maggie Smith when remembering those who died in the last year. Shame on BAFTA,” stated another.
A furious viewer wrote: “Bafta TV Awards snubbed Maggie Smith and Joan Plowright, even if they are know mostly for film/theatre.
“They did a lot of TV, especially in the early days when they did plays on TV and period dramas especially Shakespeare.
“Maggie Smith was in iconic Downton Abbey. Plowright has a Golden Globe and Emmy for TV!”
Another angry fan said: “No Maggie Smith tribute!! That’s outrageous!”
However, there was apparently good reason for them not to appear in the segment, as they had both received special tributes at the Bafta Film Awards In Memoriam segment earlier this year.
Actors who are more closely associated with television and known for their TV achievements are usually honoured at the TV event, while those whose roles are more aligned with movies are honoured at the Film Awards.
Dame Maggie Smith died in September 2024, aged 89 after an incredible sixty year career.
She won two Oscars: for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979.
She also played many brilliant characters from the formidable school teacher Jean Brodie, to Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series to Violet Crawley in the ITV drama Downton Abbey.
Dame Joan Plowright, who retired in 2014 after becoming legally blind, died in January this year.
She was best known for her roles in Dennis the Menace, 101 Dalmatians and The Entertainer, as well as Enchanted April, which earned her an Oscar nomination in 1993.
She was also married to industry veteran Lord Laurence Olivier.
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