Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has hit out a BAFTA's excuse for not including Bernard Cribbins in last night's In Memorium.
The Railway Children actor, who also appeared in Doctor Who, passed away aged 93 in July last year, but he was not mentioned at last night's awards, prompting a backlash.
Responding to questions over why Bernard had not been included in the In Memorium segment, yesterday the film awards said it was down to time constraints, and he features in their online records.
They added: "Given his influential work in TV, he will be considered for inclusion in the next Television Awards broadcast."
It's A Sin writer Russell hit out at this reply, saying on Instagram : "It’s fair enough to remember Bernard Cribbins at the TV @bafta, not the film. To say he’s being ‘considered’ is the work of an idiot."
However, by today BAFTA had changed their statement, saying the actor will be included in the television awards.
Last night, Host Richard E. Grant introduced the In Memorium section of the annual ceremony to remember those in the film industry who died in the last year.
Introducing the tribute, he said: "Tonight is a celebration of film in all its mad, sad, funny, frightening, thought-provoking forms.
"Let's take this opportunity to pay tribute to those members of the global film community that we sadly lost over the last 12 months."
Names including Dame Angela Lansbury, Dame Olivia Newton-John, Sylvia Syms, Robbie Coltrane and Burt Bacharach appeared on the screen.
However, fans noticed actor and singer Bernard was missing from the names listed in the tribute section.
Actress Sally Thomsett wrote: "Hi 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."
Sally appeared in the 1970 film The Railway Children alongside Bernard - who played Albert Perks.
One person tweeted: "How the hell did BAFTA NOT mention Bernard Cribbins in the ‘people we’ve lost in the last 12 months’ montage?
"His work touched every generation of viewer alive today from Carry On movies to Fawlty Towers to The Wombles to Doctor Who to Old Jack’s Boat on CBeebies. Disgraceful."
Announcing Bernard's death, his agent said: “His career spanned seven decades with such diverse work ranging from films like The Railway Children and the Carry On series, hit 60s song Right Said Fred, a notorious guest on Fawlty Towers and narrating The Wombles.
“He worked well into his 90s, recently appearing in Doctor Who and the CBeebies series Old Jack’s Boat."
“He lost his wife of 66 years, Gill, last year."
“Bernard’s contribution to British entertainment is without question. He was unique, typifying the best of his generation."
