Kate Beckinsale admitted she was preparing for her first year ‘without a father figure’ on the anniversary of her dad Richard’s death on Tuesday.
The actress, 50, who also sadly lost her stepfather Roy Battersby in January, paid tribute to her dad by sharing a series of childhood photos.
Richard, known for his role as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge sadly, passed away in 1979 aged just 31, when Kate was six-years-old.
In December, her stepfather Roy was hospitalised in Los Angeles after suffering ‘a massive stroke’ while battling two forms of cancer, which he was diagnosed with in summer 2023. He passed away a month later aged 87.
In the candid post, Kate shared a carousel of old snaps with her dad Richard and wrote: ‘Oh the day you died comes round so suddenly even when I’m expecting it.’
Kate Beckinsale, 50, admitted she was preparing for her first year ‘without a father figure’ on the anniversary of her dad Richard’s death on Tuesday
The actress, who also sadly lost her stepfather Roy Battersby in January, paid tribute to her dad by sharing a series of childhood photos
She continued: ‘This is my first year without any father figure at all for a long long time. How I miss you. How familiar this falling through an abyss.
‘How horribly like home falling with no one to catch you feels . I hope your energies have met. I’m so grateful to have had your love. I feel it, like an echo. X’
Showing the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Richard was an actor, known best for his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp.
The star sadly passed away at the age of 31 after having a heart attack through the night.
He was dad to Kate, whom he shared with Judy Loe and her older actress sister Samantha, 57, his only child from his marriage with Margaret Bradley.
Kate has an ode to her dad in her Instagram bio, in a quote reads: ‘A fatherless girl thinks all things possible and nothing safe,’ by Mary Gordon.
Her stepfather Roy Battersby died at the age of 87, on January 10.
The actress shared a black square without a caption on her Instagram account, and her friends and fans offered their condolences in the comments.
Richard, known for his role as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge sadly, passed away in 1979 aged just 31, when Kate was six-years-old
In December, her stepfather Roy was hospitalised in Los Angeles after suffering ‘a massive stroke’ while battling two forms of cancer. He passed away a month later aged 87 (pictured in 2021 with her mother Judy Loe and Roy)
In the candid post, Kate shared a carousel of old snaps with her dad Richard and wrote: ‘Oh the day you died comes round so suddenly even when I’m expecting it’
She continued: ‘This is my first year without any father figure at all for a long long time. How I miss you. How familiar this falling through an abyss’
‘How horribly like home falling with no one to catch you feels . I hope your energies have met. I’m so grateful to have had your love. I feel it, like an echo. X,’ the actress concluded
Showing the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Richard was an actor, known best for his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp
Roy was hospitalised in Los Angeles last month after suffering ‘a massive stroke’ while battling two forms of cancer, which he was diagnosed with in summer 2023.
The following week, Kate confirmed her stepfather’s death with a video montage honouring him, which included a quick announcement that he had died the same day as her black post.
The British actress had been quietly caring for both her beloved mother and stepfather as they battle a slew of serious health issues, DailyMail.com previously revealed.
Kate’s actress mother Judy Loe married Roy in 1997 — 18 years after Kate’s father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died.
Roy enjoyed his own successful career as a director, working on major British on-screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost.
Kate’s Instagram post included an announcement about her stepfather’s death on Wednesday.
It noted that his funeral would be held back in London, with details forthcoming.
‘I have no words yet,’ Kate captioned the video, before thanking a fan account for editing it. ‘Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost.’
The clip opened with a moving recording of Roy recalling how he was forced to hide in a shelter during the Blitz early in World War II as Nazi bombs rained down.
He called the eventually announced of Victory in Europe Day a ‘wonderful thing,’ because it meant no more hiding in shelters, and young men no longer had to leave their families to go off to fight across the continent.
The video also featured several sweet photos of Kate with her stepfather and her mother, including a hilarious photo showing her and Roy beaming at each other while holding playfully insulting tea cups.
Kate rushed from the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday January 7 to the hospital, sharing photos of herself on the red carpet and by Roy’s bedside with the caption: ‘Golden globes 2024 start to end.’
She was still clad in her glamorous Atelier Zuhra gown for the hospital visit, as she ate a burger and chatted to her friends and family in Roy’s room.
Her friends and followers were quick to check in on the star, with one commenting: ‘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 honor 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. ❤️’
Kate responded: ‘thank you and thank you for your supportive texts all the way through. That was so kind xx’
Kate’s mother Judy Loe’s has been fighting her own private health battle. The 76-year-old was diagnosed with a longstanding illness six years ago — something Kate has alluded to in several emotional Instagram posts over the past year.
Her stepfather Roy Battersby died at the age of 87, on January 10. The actress shared a black square without a caption on her Instagram account at the time
Kate’s actress mother Judy Loe married Roy in 1997, 18 years after Kate’s father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died; seen in 1986
Kate shared a video montage to Instagram, which included an announcement about her stepfather’s death. It noted that his funeral would be held back in London
Kate rushed from the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday January 7 to the hospital, sharing photos of herself on the red carpet and by Roy’s bedside
Her friends and followers were quick to check in on the star, with one commenting: ‘I don’t know how you made it through last night’
The tribute video opened with Roy recalling his struggles hiding in shelters during the Blitz in World War II and his elation after VE Day was declared
The video also featured several photos of Kate with her stepfather and her mother, including a hilarious photo showing her and Roy beaming at each other while holding insulting tea cups
Kate appeared to have fun pestering her stepfather in another sweetly unguarded photo
Roy and Kate’s actress mother Judy Loe were dressed up as nobles from centuries earlier in a snap highlighting the fun they had as a family in his final years
She was still clad in her glamorous Atelier Zuhra gown for the hospital visit, as she ate a burger and chatted to her friends and family in Roy’s room
The Underworld actress flew Judy and Roy out to the US from their home in the UK so she could care for them full-time at her Los Angeles home.
‘Kate has been caring for her parents, who both have serious illnesses, for most of the year,’ a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com late last year. ‘She brought them to her home in LA and has made looking after them her number one priority.’
The insider revealed that the Snow Angels star — whose biological father Richard Beckinsale died in 1979 at 31 from a heart attack in his sleep — has been feeling the emotional toll in recent months.
‘She was spotted this week several times crying in the corridors of UCLA hospital,’ the source added. ‘Her friends are very concerned that she has been under relentless strain for months and hardly sleeping or eating.
‘Kate appears to be very strong but this has been incredibly hard and, given that she lost her father so young, is affecting her very deeply. Her friends are concerned for her own health.’
A second source explained that her mother Judy has chosen to keep her health battle private, stating: ‘She’s extraordinary, you wouldn’t even know by looking at her. She has been keeping a very positive attitude throughout everything.’
Kate has alluded to her parents’ ailing health online in recent months, sharing images of her mother undergoing treatment in hospital.
In August she encouraged fans to do what makes them happy in the Instagram caption, writing: ‘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.’
Kate has alluded to recent struggles in emotional Instagram posts about her parents over the past year; pictured in November 2023
Kate previously shared a snap of Roy undergoing treatment in hospital
Her 76-year-old mom has been privately battling her own illness for the past six years
Kate’s close bond with her parents has been a source of delight for social media fans who often share messages of praise for the family’s visible love for one another
Roy enjoyed a successful career as a director, working on major British screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost; pictured with his Alan Clarke Award at the 1996 Bafta Craft Awards
The Underworld actress flew Judy and Roy out to the US from their home in the UK so she could care for them full-time at her Los Angeles home
She continued: ‘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.’
However, the Much Ado About Nothing actress has been determined to put on a brave face and do all she can to continue supporting her loved ones during this difficult time.
‘Kate has been attempting to maintain a positive public and professional presence, and remain upbeat for her family,’ the source added.