BBC viewers were quick to voice their frustration on Sunday night after Catherine O’Hara was absent from the Bafta TV Awards In Memoriam tribute.
The beloved actress, who passed away in January at the age of 71, was notably excluded from the segment honouring industry figures who died over the past year.
The omission sparked immediate backlash online, with fans questioning why the legendary performer had been overlooked during the ceremony at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.
The In Memoriam segment featured Norwegian artist AURORA performing Through the Eyes of a Child from the Netflix series Adolescence, which dominated the evening’s awards.
Bafta TV Awards: AURORA sang during the In Memoriam segment
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Among those honoured with photographs were novelist Jilly Cooper, Only Fools and Horses actor Patrick Murray, Kim Woodburn, Ozzy Osbourne and EastEnders star Derek Martin.
American television figures, including Grey’s Anatomy’s Eric Dane and Dawson’s Creek’s James Van Der Beek, were also remembered.
Meanwhile, several British television icons received video tributes showcasing their work, including Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales, Keeping Up Appearances actress Patricia Routledge and BBC executive Alan Yentob.
Upon spotting Ms O’Hara, whose TV credits in recent years include the award-winning comedies The Studio and Schitt’s Creek, had been left out, fans took to X.
Bafta TV Awards: Greg Davies fronted the awards
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“What the actual F!” one X user fumed. “How do you not include Catherine O’Hara in the memorial section? And while I’m on a rant, a nod to Ted from Gone Fishing wouldn’t have gone amiss either! #baftas.”
“Where was the legend Catherine O’Hara in the tributes? They always do this. Miss someone out. #BAFTA,” a second asked, while a third hit out: “@BAFTA massive error – missing Catherine O’Hara.”
“Catherine O’Hara not featured on the celebs who have passed away segment? #BAFTA #TheBAFTAS,” a fourth queried, while a fifth was similarly bemused: “#BAFTA Why no mention of Catherine O’Hara?”
And a sixth weighed in: “They didn’t have Catherine O’Hara in the memoriam! #BAFTAs.”
Bafta TV Awards: Seth Rogen paid tribute to O’Hara after The Studio’s win
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However, some viewers pointed out that Ms O’Hara had already been commemorated at the Bafta Film Awards in February, where she was included in the memorial tribute for her work in cinema.
Despite the controversy surrounding the In Memoriam segment, Ms O’Hara received a heartfelt tribute moments earlier when The Studio claimed the Best International Series award.
Seth Rogen, collecting the trophy on behalf of the Apple TV+ comedy, took time during his acceptance speech to honour his late co-star.
“I’d be remiss not to mention one of the key parts of the show, Catherine O’Hara,” he told the London audience. “She meant so much to all of us.”
Catherine O’Hara died on January 30, aged 71. | GETTY
Holding up the Bafta trophy, Mr Rogen added: “I assume her work has been so important to you all over here as it was to us. So this is for Catherine.”
The actor also joked about the unexpected victory, noting that comedies rarely triumph over dramas at awards ceremonies.
Elsewhere, it was a historic evening for Netflix drama Adolescence, which bagged four gongs on the night.
Bafta TV Awards: Catherine O’Hara’s omission sparked fury
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Owen Cooper became the youngest ever Supporting Actor winner, while his co-stars Stephen Graham and Christine Tremarco also bagged their respective acting awards.
The series itself won Limited Series, completing a hugely successful stint on the awards circuit since the show’s release on Netflix last year.