Kate Beckinsale's stepfather Roy Battersby has died aged 87
Kate Beckinsale mourns the death of her stepfather, the British director Roy Battersby.
“I have no words yet. Thank you @katebeckinsale_slovakia2 for making this beautiful thing,” Beckinsale, 50, wrote in the caption Instagram video of Battersby taken by a fan account on Monday, January 15. “I fought for you with everything I had. Oh Roy, I'm so sorry I lost.
In the video, Battersby talked about his childhood during World War II, recalling how his family slept in a concrete “street shelter” to protect themselves from air raids. “And when VE Day came it was a wonderful day because it meant that all the air raids and everything had ended and people didn't have to leave their families to go to war and be part of the war. [of it]” he declared, adding that his neighborhood celebrated the victory with a large street party.
The clip was followed by a montage of photos and videos of Battersby with Beckinsale and her mother, Judy Loe, over the years. (Loe, 76, was married to Kate's father, Richard Beckinsalefrom 1977 to 1979 and married Battersby in 1997.)
Hollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024. Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 in a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was heading home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shares with wife Jessica Klepser — on Jan. 4. […]
Kate also shared an obituary for her late stepfather via her Instagram Story, confirming his passing at the age of 87. “It is with great sadness that the family of film and television director Roy Battersby announce the news of his recent passing after a short period of illness. ”, read the statement. “He passed away peacefully on January 10, 2024, in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, at the age of 87. The funeral will take place in London, details to follow.”
Throughout his career, Battersby directed a number of British TV series and films, including Play for today, Couples, No excuses, Between the lines And Red Mercury. His last directing credit was a 2006 episode of the show A touch of frostaccording to his IMDb profile.
Battersby's death comes a week after Kate joined him in hospital following a presentation at the 2024 Golden Globes on January 7. “Golden globes 2024 is starting to end,” says the actress caption photos from the awards ceremony, as well as photos as she sat by her stepfather's hospital bed in her sparkling silver Atelier Zuhra dress.
Kate Beckinsale has been a leading lady in some of Hollywood's favorite films for over twenty years, and during that time she's had a handful of personal relationships that made headlines. Early in her career, the Serendipity actress dated Michael Sheen. They were first linked in 1995 and continued throughout their eight-year existence […]
A few days later, Kate seemingly hinted that Battersby had been passed over by posting an ominous black square through her Instagram. Although she didn't caption the Thursday, January 11, post, Kate pinned several comments from fans offering their condolences.
“Devastating. Heartbroken for you,” read one user's pinned comment. “Shining bright, beautiful Roy 🤍.”
Another user wrote, “I don't know how you got through last night with everything going on. You are strong and a consummate professional. It was above and beyond that I was allowed to leave your beautiful Roy's side to fulfill this promise at the Globes.
Kate showed her gratitude for the fan's kind words by replying, “Thank you and thank you for your supportive texts throughout the process. That was so kind xx.”
In November 2023, Kate shared several sweet photos of herself and her mother cuddling Battersby via Instagramwhich she captioned with a single blue heart emoji.