19 February 2024 , 11:10
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BAFTA have responded after Matthew Perry appeared to be snubbed during the In Memoriam segment, leaving fans outraged.
BBC viewers were fuming last night after Friends star Matthew wasn't included as they remembered all those lost in the last 12 months. Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham performed a pared down version of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time in Sunday’s in memoriam segment, which featured tributes to stars including Jane Birkin, Glynis Johns, Carl Weathers, Julian Sands, Tom Wilkinson and Tina Turner.
But Matthew, who was found dead at his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles on October 28 at the age of 54, didn't appear - and thousands raced to social media to make their feelings clear. But BAFTA say he will be honoured at the organisation’s TV awards in May after he was not featured in Sunday’s film awards ceremony.
Fans were wowed by Hannah Waddingham during the in memoriam segment - but angry and bosses (Ben Perry/REX/Shutterstock)Responding to the tribute, which also featured Harry Belafonte, Alan Arkin and Sir Michael Gambon, one fan wrote: "No Matthew Perry in the #BAFTAs memorium?? Feels a tad disrespectful. Did they just forget?" Another also took to twitter and wrote: "Can't believe you omitted Matthew Perry from the In Memoriam. #BAFTA."
In response to a user on X questioning Perry’s absence from the segment, the organisation’s official account said: “Matthew Perry will be remembered in this year’s TV Awards ceremony.” BAFTA has also confirmed TV director Roy Battersby will be honoured at the May ceremony after his actress stepdaughter Kate Beckinsale publicly urged for his inclusion.
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Matthew's death has been ruled an accident from the acute effects of ketamine, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner confirmed. The medical examiner's report continued: "Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder)."
Matthew's assistant found him underwater in his hot tub and tried to bring him above water before calling the paramedics, who pronounced him dead at the scene. No illicit drugs were found on the scene, which was backed up by the coroner's report. In the medical report obtained by The Mirror, it revealed Matthew was sober for 19 months after battling addiction for many years. He was on ketamine infusion therapy to help with his addiction.
The report read: "At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression." The medical examiner added that he probably "lapsed into unconsciousness" and drowned. No blunt force trauma was found and no foul play was suspected. According to the death certificate, he was buried at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles. His family and friends, including many members of the cast from Friends were in attendance at his funeral.