Bafta organisers have been criticised for not including late actor Bob Hoskins in their customary In Memoriam segment last night.

Famous names from the world of entertainment and showbiz described their anger that Hoskins, who died last year aged 71, was omitted from the package.

Bob Hoskins died llast year aged 71 (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Bob Hoskins died llast year aged 71 (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Hoskins starred in Hollywood hits such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and the homegrown underworld classic The Long Good Friday, while his role as George in the 1986 hit Mona Lisa won him an Oscar nomination for leading actor.

Bafta organisers said Hoskins’ death was included in last year’s academy television awards – which traditionally run later in the year – and that it was common practice only to feature in one ceremony.

Stars last night hit out at what they considered a snub to the veteran actor.

In a statement, Bafta organisers said: “Due to the timing of his death in April last year, and the fact that his credits included television as well as film (he was Bafta-nominated for Pennies from Heaven in 1979), Bob Hoskins was included in the televised obituaries package at the British Academy Television Awards last year.

“Bafta features individuals in televised obituaries only once, sadly due to the number of people we’d like to recognise at any one time, and that means difficult decisions have to be made as to which ceremony they should be included in. As Bob died in April last year, just before the television awards, we felt it was right to remember his wonderful career then, rather than wait until last night’s film awards.”

The spokesman said Hoskins’ name was featured in the In Memoriam section of the souvenir brochure given to everyone on the night of the awards. His career is also recognised in the online obituaries area www.bafta.org/heritage/in-memory-of.

Hoskins retired from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.