'Shame on you!' BBC BAFTA fans fume as huge star missing from memorial tribute

The 2025 BAFTA Awards disappointed fans this evening as one huge name was missing from the memorial tributes. Each year the star-studded ceremony pays tributes to the actors and stars that we have sadly lost in the last year - however some fans noted that there was no mention whatsoever of Dame Maggie Smith.

The late actress was 89 years old when she died last September. The star, whose acting career spanned several decades, was best known for her roles in the like of Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and Sister Act just to name a few. Due to her wit and charm in both comedic and dramatic roles, Dame Maggie was one of the countries most prolific actresses.

Fans watching the BAFTA Awards on the were outraged with the apparent snub. "No Maggie Smith?? Feels like quite an oversight #BAFTAS," one fumed on Twitter. Another added: "Where was Maggie Smith in that?!! #BAFTAS."

One more penned: "#BAFTAS no mention of Dame Maggie Smith when remembering those who died in the last year. Shame on you." A fourth shared: "Sorry, but no Maggie Smith tribute!! That's outrageous #baftas."

At the time of her death, Maggie's family confirmed that she passed away "peacefully" in the hospital. In a statement issued via their publicist, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said: "It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27."

It continued: "An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

Before her death, Smith was diagnosed with a serious condition known as Graves' disease, which can lead to complications such as heart failure. At the age of 33, while working on the play "Lettice", Dame Maggie began experiencing intense symptoms of the disease, including a form known as Graves' ophthalmopathy, which affects around a third of those with Graves' disease.

In an interview with The New York Times, she described how her eyes became irritated and bulged out, accompanied by swelling, creating an "absolutely frightening" appearance. Reflecting on her struggle with the condition, which came after a cycling accident that broke her arm, she shared: "It's been kind of like a fog of despair, really.

"It was ghastly having a broken arm; ghastly with the play, letting everybody down; and on top of that, I looked absolutely frightening, and didn't know which way to turn."