BAFTA forced to make u-turn after snubbing the late Bernard Cribbins from ceremony

BAFTA has made a reluctant U-turn after being pilloried for snubbing the late Bernard Cribbins.

The academy left the family favourite off its “in memoriam” section at Sunday’s film awards.

After being accused of elitism, Bafta said it would consider Bernard, who died last July aged 93, for a similar tribute at its TV awards in May.

But that failed to satisfy critics, including Russell T Davies, who cast Bernard in his 2005 Doctor Who reboot.

He wrote online: “To say he’s being ‘considered’ is the work of an idiot.”

Bafta then backtracked further, with a spokesman saying: “Bernard Cribbins will be remembered in our upcoming Bafta Television Awards ceremony broadcast.”

On Sunday, Bafta saluted late stars such as Anne Heche, William Hurt, Olivia Newton-John and Robbie Coltrane.

But there was no mention of Bernard, whose films included The Railway Children in 1970, several Carry On movies and Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy.

It appalled his Railway Children co-star, Sally Thomsett, who tweeted: “They should be disgusted with themselves, words fail me.”

Her post was liked by actor Richard E Grant, who hosted the Bafta film awards.

Bafta insisted: “With limited time in our broadcast, it isn’t possible to honour all those who have sadly passed away.”

It was another day before it confirmed Bernard, also the voice of The Wombles on TV, would be remembered.