Warwick Davis has found love again through woman ‘like Kerry Mucklowe’ after wife’s death
He refers to her only as 'Sponge'.
Actor Warwick Davis has said the woman who helped him ‘find love again’ reminds him of an unlikely comedy character played by Daisy May Cooper.
While receiving his Bafta Fellowship award, the 55-year old star of the Harry Potter and Star Wars film franchises thanked an anonymous woman called ‘Sponge’ for their help after his wife, Samantha Davis, died last year.
Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Warwick said the woman reminded him of Daisy – who was also on the ITV talk show – playing Kerry Mucklowe in the BBC’s Cotswolds-set series This Country.
Warwick referenced the name sometimes given to Harry Potter antagonist Lord Voldemort – He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named – to avoid identifying the mystery woman.
He said: ‘I can reveal, sticking with the Harry Potter theme, Sponge is indeed She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
‘Sponge very much reminds me of Kerry. Some of the things she says and her accent.’
Samantha Davis died last year (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) Kerry Mucklowe in This Country is admittedly the best comedy character going Picture: BBC)Kerry is a character created and played by the Am I Being Unreasonable? star in the Cotswolds-based mockumentary series This Country, which follows the lives of two cousins living it up in a small village.
Daisy and her brother Charlie Cooper, star of the BBC show Myth Country, won Baftas for the series, including for their acting performances.
Warwick rose to fame as an 11-year old after being cast as an Ewok in Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi.
Warwick appeared on the Jonathan Ross show alongside Daisy May Cooper when he made the comparison (Picture: Brian J Ritchie/Hotsauce/Shutter) Kerry Mucklowe is the BBC character who put Daisy on the map (Picture: Scott Garfitt/BAFTA via Getty Images)He later starred in Willow, Leprechaun and Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy before being cast as charms teacher Professor Filius Flitwick in the Harry Potter series.
Warwick was awarded the Bafta Fellowship in February, which is described by the academy as the ‘highest accolade Bafta can bestow on any one figure, recognising an exceptional contribution to film, television or games’.
He gave an emotional speech referencing his late wife, who died last March, aged 53, and their two surviving children.
He told Ross how ‘supportive’ his wife was, saying she always encouraged him despite the difficult hours that came with the job.
The couple co-founded dwarfism charity Little People UK, which helps provide ‘friendship and financial support and guidance’ to people with the condition and their families and friends.
Warwick gave an emotional speech about his late wife at the Baftas (Picture: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)In his Bafta speech, Davis said: ‘I’d like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy who died almost a year ago.
‘She was always so supportive of my career, encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands.
‘Since then life has been pretty tough for me but thanks to the support of our wonderful children, Annabelle and Harrison, I have been able to continue working and engaging in life.
‘Special mention too should go to Sponge, you know who you are. Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and for helping me to laugh and love again.’
Warwick shared a poignant statement about his wife in April 2024, too.
‘Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs,’ the actor said. He went on to describe his late spouse as his ‘most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career.’
He added: ‘She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life she had a wicked sense of humour and always laughed at my bad jokes,” he said.
The Jonathan Ross Show airs on Saturday at 9.20pm on ITV and ITVX.
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