Warwick Davis was supported by a mystery woman as he accepted his OBE from The Prince Of Wales on Wednesday, after crediting a person known as ‘Sponge’ for ‘helping him to love again’ following his wife’s death.
The Harry Potter star, 56, was also joined by his daughter Annabelle, 28, and son Harrison, 23, as he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama and charity.
Arriving for the ceremony, Warwick was seen conversing with Prince William as he accepted the honour, with his mystery woman and his children watching on.
Warwick shares his two children with his late wife Samantha, who died in 2024 as a result of a cardiac arrest following complications from an essential surgery.
Last year, the star paid tribute to a mystery woman for helping him to ‘love again’, but has only referred to her as ‘Sponge.’
Speaking during his acceptance speech after being awarded with the BAFTA Fellowship last year, he said: ‘Special mention should go to Sponge, you know who you are.
Warwick Davis was supported by a mystery woman as he accepted his OBE on Wednesday, after crediting a woman called ‘Sponge’ for ‘helping him love again’ following his wife’s death
The Harry Potter star was joined by the mystery companion (seen second right), his daughter Annabelle and son Harrison as he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
He added: ‘Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and for helping me to laugh and to love again.’
Asked about the identity of ‘Sponge’ last year, Warwick said on The Jonathan Ross Show: ‘I can reveal, sticking with the Harry Potter theme, Sponge is indeed She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.’
Referring to Daisy May Cooper’s character Kerry Mucklowe, Warwick adds: ‘Sponge very much reminds me of Kerry. Some of the things she says and her accent.’
Warwick’s late wife Samantha Davis, who was also an actress, died aged 53 at University College Hospital in London on March 24 2024.
An inquest into her death concluded that she died as a result of a cardiac arrest following complications from an essential surgery.
She fell ill with sepsis in 2019 which led to intensive care treatment. This followed operations on her spine that were undertaken at University College London Hospital.
Warwick dedicated his BAFTA film fellowship award to his late wife during an emotional tribute at the ceremony.
The couple met during the filming of 1988 fantasy movie Willow, in which he had a starring role as the hero Willow Ufgood. They married in 1991.
Alongside their daughter Annabelle and son Harrison, Warwick and Samantha also had a third child, however he tragically died nine days after being born.
Warwick shares his two children with his late wife Samantha, who died in 2024 as a result of a cardiac arrest following complications from an essential surgery (pictured in 2015)
Arriving for the ceremony, Warwick was seen conversing with Prince William as he accepted the honour, with his mystery woman and his children watching on
Warwick shares his two children with his late wife Samantha, who died in 2024 as a result of a cardiac arrest following complications from an essential surgery
Last year, the star paid tribute to a mystery person for helping him to ‘love again’, but has only referred to her as ‘Sponge’
Best known for roles in Harry Potter, as well as his comedic adventures with Karl Pilkington in An Idiot Abroad, Warwick is commended for his advocacy for people with dwarfism
Best known for roles such as Professor Flitwick and goblin Griphook in Harry Potter, as well as his comedic adventures with Karl Pilkington in An Idiot Abroad, Warwick is particularly commended for his advocacy for people with dwarfism.
The actor was born with a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita.
He co-founded the charity Little People UK in 2012 with his late wife Samantha, to support people with dwarfism and their families.
Davis has confirmed he will return to the world of wizardry for the new Harry Potter series reboot and reprise his role as Professor Flitwick.
In 2025, the actor was awarded BAFTA’s highest honour at its annual film awards, the BAFTA Fellowship, for his performing and advocacy work.
