Warwick Davis’ Emotional Return to the Red Carpet: ‘I Miss Her Hugs’
Warwick Davis, the beloved Star Wars and Willow actor, made an emotional return to the public eye as he attended the Pride of Britain Awards in London. The event marked the 54-year-old’s first public appearance since the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Samantha, earlier this year, told the Mirror. Accompanied by his daughter, Annabel, a 29-year-old actress known for her role in Hollyoaks, Warwick faced the cameras with a brave smile on Monday evening, a moment that was both bittersweet and poignant.
Dressed in a velvet blazer, Warwick looked dapper on the red carpet, while Annabel exuded effortless style in a black ensemble paired with a check brown coat. This appearance was more than just a return to the spotlight—it was a testament to Warwick’s strength and resilience in the wake of unimaginable grief. Samantha, his wife of 33 years, passed away on March 24, leaving Warwick and their children, Annabel and Harrison, grappling with the enormity of her loss.
Reflecting on their life together, Warwick shared how deeply Samantha’s absence has affected the family. “Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs,” Warwick said, his voice heavy with emotion. “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 joke“, via the Express.
Samantha and Warwick’s love story began in their teenage years, blossoming into a decades-long marriage that was rooted in their shared passion for the performing arts. Samantha herself was a talented actress, known for her role in the 1989 children’s series Through the Dragon’s Eye and a memorable appearance alongside Warwick in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Their bond, both personal and professional, made them an inseparable team throughout their lives.
Their children, Annabel and Harrison, paid tribute to their mother, echoing Warwick’s sentiments about her warmth and love. “Mum is our best friend, and we’re honoured to have received a love like hers,” they said. “Her love and happiness carried us through our whole lives.”
The Davis family has faced their share of heartache over the years. In 1991, Warwick and Samantha experienced the tragic loss of their son Lloyd, who passed away just nine days after birth. Two years later, their unborn son George died at 20 weeks. Despite these devastating losses, Samantha’s strength and determination shone through as she went on to give birth to Annabel and their son Harrison, a testament to her unwavering resilience.
Samantha also endured significant health challenges due to achondroplasia, a condition that required her to undergo multiple surgeries. In 2019, she faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis following a compression surgery on her spine. Warwick recalled how terrifying it was when her immune system began attacking itself, putting her at risk of losing limbs. Thanks to swift action from doctors, Samantha was saved, though the health scare left an indelible mark on their family.
Throughout it all, Samantha remained a beacon of positivity, described by friends and fans as someone who could “light up a room.” Despite her own struggles, she was a devoted wife and mother, always radiating the love and strength that defined her life.
Warwick, who credits Samantha with much of his success, said during a BBC interview, “With her by my side, I was sure I could achieve anything. It was like having a super-power. Without Sammy, there would have been no Tenable quiz show, no Willow series. No Idiot Abroad Series 3.”
As Warwick and Annabel stood together on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain Awards, the love and admiration for Samantha was palpable, even in her absence. Her legacy lives on, not only in the remarkable career of her husband but also in the lives of her children and the countless people she touched with her warmth, humour, and light.