Outrage after Betty White excluded from BAFTAs 'In Memoriam' tribute
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has been forced to explain why Betty White was noticeably missing from the "In Memoriam" segment at the 2022 ceremony.
There was an uproar on social media as fans realised the TV legend was overlooked in the segment, which honoured dozens of movie and TV stars who died in the past year.
Big names such as actor Sidney Poitier, singer Meat Load and director Ivan Reitman were all included, with many believing Betty White should have been given the same honour.
"How come Betty White wasn't mentioned in Memoriam she died on 31st December 2021, that's terrible," one fan tweeted, while another wrote, "Where was the wonderful Betty White??"
The BAFTAs have since explained why the actress was left out of the segment, telling E! News in a statement that they have plans to honour the Golden Girls star during the dedicated Television Awards later in the year.
Also noticeably absent from the Peaky Blinders and Harry Potter star Helen McCrory who died in April last year from breast cancer, aged 52.
"Due to the number of people we would like to recognise at any one time and the limited time in which we have to do so, individuals may be featured in a television broadcast only once," the BAFTAs stated.
"Decisions as to who is selected for inclusion are made by BAFTA's Obituaries Committee, which considers over 200 names a year."
Both Betty White and Helen McCrory appear on the BAFTA's website in the "In Memory Of" section.
Betty White passed away on December 31st 2021 in her Los Angeles home at age 99.
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