Bafta viewers have expressed outrage after three notable British actors were omitted from the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment during Sunday night’s awards show.
Despite Jeff Goldblum’s moving piano tribute honouring stars who died in the past year, the absence of Timothy West, Bernard Hill, and Brian Murphy sparked criticism from audiences.
The emotional segment at London’s Royal Festival Hall paid tribute to numerous industry figures, including Dame Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, and David Lynch.
The Wicked star, an accomplished jazz pianist, performed As Time Goes By whilst images of departed stars were displayed on screen.
Other industry figures honoured during Goldblum’s performance included Donald Sutherland, James Earl Jones, Joan Plowright, Gena Rowlands, Kris Kristofferson, and The Shining’s Shelley Duvall.
The moving segment left many viewers “in floods of tears” but faced backlash from others for omitting three beloved stars from the line-up: Timothy West, Bernard Hill, and Brian Murphy.
Viewers took to social media to voice their disappointment over the “disgusting omission” of the three Bafta-winning and nominated British actors.
West, who died aged 90 in November 2024, won a TV Bafta in 1976 for his role in Edward the Seventh.
Hill, known for his roles in Boys From The Blackstuff and Lord Of The Rings, passed away in May 2024 aged 79. He had received two TV Bafta nominations during his career.
Murphy, who died earlier this month at 92, was a Bafta winner – claiming Best Actor in 1985. He was beloved for his performances in Last Summer of Wine and the sitcom George and Mildred.
“You’d think, as former twice-nominees (Timothy West, 1976, 1980; Bernard Hill, 1983, 2006) that they’d merit a mention. Was Brian Murphy just too 70s? Doesn’t a lifetime of sitcom laughter and TV drama count any more?” one viewer asked on X.
Another slammed: “Is no one going to talk about how bad the In Memoriam section was? Leaving out a bunch of big names as well as tons of smaller people in the industry. But they had time to show Jeff Goldblum for over a minute? It was lovely music but really?”
“Seriously no Bernard Hill in memorial?? Absolutely disgusting omission,” a third fumed.
A fourth agreed, raging: “Bafta can go get f****d for missing off Bernard Hill in the memoriam section. #BAFTA2025”
A fifth despaired: “Sad and disappointed that Brian Murphy was not included in the Bafta in memoriam section… his fans wont forget him, and his legacy will live on.”
“Firstly, they rush through them at speed, don’t have time to read names, let alone what they did within the industry, & secondly & most importantly, leave icons out, such as the fabulous Brian Murphy,” a sixth shared.
Another reminded that the section: “Missed the amazing late Timothy West who died in November 2024 who actually won a BAFTA.” (sic)
However, others were quick to suggest that the beloved trio were not deliberately snubbed.
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Regarding Hill, one fan explained: “I think they might have decided to put him on the Bafta TV awards in memoriam in the summer because they will want to honour him as Yosser Hughes.”
Continuing, they added: “The Bafta rule that you can only be on the film or TV awards in memoriam but not both needs changing I think.” (sic)
