BAFTA viewers slam ceremony for Eric Dane and James Van

BAFTA viewers criticized the awards ceremony, which aired on Sunday, February 22 evening, after noticing that each Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek have been absent from the present’s In Memoriam section.

During the In Memoriam a part of the 2026 BAFTAs, Jessie Ware carried out a rendition of Barbra Streisand’s timeless basic, The Way We Were, in tribute to those who handed away within the last 12 months. Notable names included the late Diane Keaton, Terence Stamp, Catherine O’Hara, and Rob Reiner, all of whom could be anticipated to be featured. However, viewers shortly seen that, surprisingly, each Eric and James have been lacking from this 12 months’s BAFTAs section, an event that also noticed Leonardo DiCaprio face embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Dawson Creek’s James succumbed to stage three colorectal cancer at the age of 48 on February 11.

Social media erupted with indignation over the BAFTA Awards’ oversight, with one person posting on X, previously often called Twitter, “Poor oversight by BAFTA. James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane should have been included in the memorial section: ‘Where was James Van Der Beek in that tribute to all the actors???”

Another individual vented, “No Eric Dane?” while another person requested, “Hold on just a minute, why was Eric Dane not in that tribute video then? ! ? !”

Following widespread on-line backlash, a BAFTA spokesperson clarified to The Daily Mail the rationale for excluding Eric and James from the 2026 BAFTA Awards In Memoriam section.

“We honor those within the sector in which their work was most closely associated. Our TV Awards take place later this spring. James and Eric are remembered on our website,” the spokesperson informed the outlet.

The deaths of each Eric and James have devastated numerous followers, as the two handed away just over every week aside this month. Social media customers have been expressing their grief extensively, notably on X.

The sorrow surrounding Eric’s passing has intensified after a Netflix documentary premiered that includes him delivering his final message to family members.

In the program, he addressed his daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom he shares along with his spouse, Rebecca Gayheart, urging them to “fight” while providing phrases of encouragement.

“I hope I’ve demonstrated that you can face anything, you can face the end of your days, you can face hell with dignity. Fight, girls, and hold your heads high. Billie and Georgia, you are my heart, you are my everything. Goodnight,” Eric said.