BAFTA has addressed the criticism it received after the late Bernard Cribbins was left out of the ‘in memoriam’ tribute last night.
In case you missed it, the British Academy’s annual film awards ceremony took place last night at London’s Southbank Centre presented by Richard E Grant and Alison Hammond, and stars of the silver screen turned out in their hundreds to celebrate the cinematic achievements of the past year.
Both massive blockbusters and beloved independent films took home iconic BAFTA golden mask statuettes – with All Quiet on the Western Front, The Banshees of Inisherin, Elvis, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, and Everything Everywhere All At Once all winning big.
Austin Butler, Cate Blanchett, Barry Keoghan, and Kerry Condon clinched the four acting prizes.
All Quiet on the Western Front‘s Edward Berger won Best Director, while the film also took home Best Adapted Screenplay, and The Banshees of Inisherin‘s writer and director Martin McDonagh accepted Best Original Screenplay.
While the award winners are always the focus and end up being the main talking points of the night, an ‘In Memoriam’ section is usually common place during award show broadcasts, with tributes paid to people in industry who have sadly lost their lives within the past year.
Angela Lansbury, James Caan, Olivia Newton-John, Leslie Philipps, William Hurt, Robbie Coltrane, and Burt Bacharach were just some of names who featured in BAFTA’s ‘In Memoriam’ tribute during last night’s ceremony – but viewers noticed one late famous face was missing from broadcast, and took to social media to call the British Academy out on the omission.
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Oldham-born actor Bernard Cribbins, who was most well-known and loved for his roles in The Railway Children, Doctor Who, and for his narration of The Wombles,sadly died aged 93 back in late July 2022 – yet he was not featured during last night’s ‘In Memoriam’ section at the BAFTA.
The 2023 BAFTAs were held at London’s Southbank Centre last night / Credit: BAFTA
Fans and former co-stars of the acting legend aimed criticism at BAFTA on Twitter after noticing his omission, and questioned the reason why he was left out – with his Railway Children co-star Sally Thomsett saying she was “absolutely appalled that the fabulous Bernard Cribbins was not mentioned” and that BAFTA “should be disgusted with themselves”.
Another Twitter user called Cribbins a “national treasure” and said they were “rather astonished” to not see him being honoured last night.
Remembering Bernard Cribbins – accomplished television AND film actor. And radio. And stage. If anyone deserved a few seconds on screen In Memoriam at #BAFTAs it was him. I do get he was prolific on TV and I'm sure we'll see him appropriately tributed at the TV awards in spring. pic.twitter.com/XrT1f0hF5H
Never thought we'd have to say this, but shame on @BAFTA for leaving out Bernard Cribbins from their 'In Memoriam' section.
Bernard was 100% a national treasure, and will NEVER be forgotten by the countless people who loved him and adored his characters! 💙💙#DoctorWho#BAFTApic.twitter.com/sxWSTlpFRG
Dozens of other questioning tweets directed at BAFTA flooded the platform during and after the show last night, and it was so much so that the British Academy was forced to address the situation and explain Cribbins’ omission from the tribute.
“With limited time in our broadcast, it isn’t possible to honour all those who have sadly passed away,” BAFTA explained.
“Bernard features in our online records, and given his influential work in TV, he will be considered for inclusion in the next Television Awards broadcast.”
With limited time in our broadcast it isn’t possible to honour all those who have sadly passed away. Bernard features in our online records at https://t.co/cN8n2nwp76 and given his influential work in TV, he will be considered for inclusion in the next Television Awards broadcast
The BAFTA Television Awards are expected to be held later this year on to celebrate the last year of the small screen.
Featured Image – BBC
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Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Manchester City look set to steal transfer target away from Liverpool
Danny Jones
Manchester City could be about to steal away a key transfer target right from underneath Liverpool’s noses, as the club is reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Marc Guehi.
Were it to happen, it could be a decisive move not only in January but could really prove instrumental in how the rest of their season plays out.
The Crystal Palace defender and England international looked pretty much all set for a Merseyside switch, with prior reports claiming that he was heading for Anfield before the deadline day in the previous summer window.
However, the latest rumours – which seem to have ramped up over the past week or so – are that Man City could snatch him from the grasp of Liverpool as Pep Guardiola looks to reinforce his defensive line.
As per the latest from the likes of Fabrizio Romano, fellow journalist Jeremy Cross and other alternative football outlets like indykaila News, not only is the door now open for Marc Guehi to leave the South London club, but the Etihad Stadium seems an increasingly likely destination.
Speaking in a recent press conference, Palace boss (who has also now been linked to the Man United manager’s job) Oliver Glasner added fuel to the fire.
Admitting that while everyone at the club wants him to say, “On the other side, there’s the situation that the contract ends in the summer, and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says, ‘Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue’…”
“There will be a threshold where the club has to say [sell] … If the player says: ‘I want to leave’ and the money is above the threshold, it will happen. I’m not so naive [as] not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”
Yes, name-checking the East Manchester outfit specifically, as opposed to Arne Slot’s somewhat faltering side, Romano has since insisted that “Man City want to reach an agreement now after their CBs emergency”; they have already recalled one centre-half from his loan move who impressed on debut.
Aside from a few OOP actions early on, M. Alleyne was top. Composed, progressive and confident stepping beyond the first line.
He doesn’t recycle — he dictates. Being a build-up reference already at senior level speaks volumes.
Many fans have already made it clear that they back and believe Max Alleyne (seen above) and fellow youngster Abdukodir Khusanov to deputise and be further blooded into the first team moving forward, especially following their performance against Brighton and amid the limited options.
On the other hand, City have always benefited from their strength in depth, and while the soon-to-be-confirmed Antoine Semenyo will no doubt be an exciting addition, finding cover for Ruben Dias and Joško Gvardiol appears to be a bigger priority.
Meanwhile, not only is it said that Guehi would love the opportunity to the Catalan coach and serial winner, but Liverpool have
Regardless, there is always the risk of a player getting lost in a potentially bloated squad as and when those players return to the starting lineup; it’s up to the 25-year-old Premier League-proven centre-back to decide whether he can not just take on the challenge but keep that place.
Emily Sergeant -
20th February 2023 
