Roy Battersby dead aged 87: Kate Beckinsale reveals heartbreak after stepdad and TV director dies following stroke
KATE Beckinsale has revealed her heartbreak after her stepfather died at the age of 87.
The British actress, 50, paid tribute to Roy Battersby, who had been a successful director himself.
Roy suffered a “massive stroke” last month and was hospitalised in Los Angeles, California while battling two forms of cancer.
Kate posted a video montage honouring her stepdad - who had been diagnosed just last year - on Instagram.
“I have no words yet,” Kate captioned the video, before thanking a fan account for editing it.
“I fought you with everything I had. Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost.”
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The actress had been caring for both her mum and stepdad with them both battling a number of serious illnesses.
Kate’s mum, Judy Loe, also an actress, married Roy in 1997.
The wedding took place 18 years after Kate’s dad, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died.
Roy had a hugely successful career as a director, working on a number of big TV British shows, such as Inspector Morse and Cracker.
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His most recent credit was for an episode of A Touch of Frost in 2006.
Kate's Instagram post on Monday included an announcement about her stepfather's death on the previous Wednesday.
It said Roy’s funeral would be held in London, with details to be released later.
At the start of the clip, Roy spoke about how he had been forced to hide in a shelter during World War II as Nazi bombs battered Britain.
He also described VE Day as a “wonderful thing”.
The video also featured a number of touching photos of Kate with her stepfather and her mum, including a photo showing her and Roy beaming at each other while holding playfully insulting tea cups.
Kate had dashed from the Golden Globes ceremony on January 7 to the hospital and shared pictures of herself both on the red carpet and by her stepdad’s bedside along the caption: "Golden globes 2024 start to end."
Friends and followers were quick to offer their concern, with one writing: “I don’t know how you made it through last night with all that is going on. You are strong and a consummate pro.
“Having to leave the side of your beautiful Roy to honour this commitment at the Globes was above and beyond.
“Sending love and prayers to you and your family. I’m so happy you were able to make it back to the hospital.”
In reply, Kate said: “Thank you and thank you for your supportive texts all the way through. That was so kind xx.”
CARING KATE
The Underworld start flew Judy and Roy out to the US from their UK home so that she could care for them full-time at her Los Angeles home.
Richard Beckinsale, Kate’s biological father became a much-loved household name for his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC prison sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp.
Kate has mentioned her parents’ health problems online in recent months, including sharing images of her mum having hospital treatment.
In an Instagram post in August she wrote: “Embrace joy. Accept grief. Wear feathers. Sing. Do what makes you feel happy even for a moment.
“Pair grief and sickness and fear with as much life and laughter and celebration as you possibly can.
“It doesn’t mean you are having some sort of crisis. It means you are choosing life, fiercely. Be brave, and when you don’t feel brave, listen. Laugh hard, dance hard, cry hard, love hard with those you trust.”
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She added: “Spread love when you can. Read. Stay in bed and cry when it’s from all sides and feels like an avalanche. Try not to be mean, or to take on others meanness. People can break.
“Be kind. Fight with everything you’ve got for your loved ones , and for your own spirit x.”
