Warwick Davis reveals he has found love again one year on from wife’s death

Samantha Davis died last March aged 53.

Samantha Davis died on 24 March 2023. Four years earlier, she faced a life-threatening case of sepsis due to complications from surgery and received treatment in hospital for a long period of time.

The couple met when they were teenagers before tying the knot in 1991. They shared two kids together - Annabelle and Harrison.

Now, as the actor prepares to move on, he has opened up about a new special person in his life while appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV.

Warwick told the host: "When you go through your career as an actor, you sometimes become a bit reluctant to do certain jobs thinking another one will come along and be a bit better.

"She would always say ‘get out there and do it’," he added. "She was great at networking as well, always talking to producers and getting me the work in the next job.

"You need that in this business because it is difficult."

The Star Wars and Willow star continued: "You’ve got to have someone who is very supportive of you being away on occasions and working ridiculous hours.

"Acting is quite a lonely career, really. You need a solid foundation at home to support that and make it work."

Ross then asked about the identity of ‘Sponge’, who Warwick mentioned had helped him to ‘love again’.

"I can reveal, sticking with the Harry Potter theme, Sponge is indeed She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named." he replied.

Referring to Daisy May Cooper’s character in the hit BBC comedy series This Country, Kerry Mucklowe, Warwick added: "Sponge very much reminds me of Kerry. Some of the things she says and her accent."

The 55-year-old paid an emotional tribute to his late wife Samatha at last month's BAFTAs, where he received the prestigious Fellowship award.

As part of his speech, he thanked his beloved wife for her support throughout his career and reflected on life since her passing.

"Above all though, I'd like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy, who died almost a year ago. She was always so supportive of my career - encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands.

"However, I soon noticed that her level of enthusiasm for me taking a particular role was often relative to how much she wanted that designer handbag. Since then, life has been pretty tough for me. But thanks to the support of our wonderful children, Annabelle and Harrison, I've been able to continue working and engaging in life."

As detailed in his 2010 autobiography Size Matters Not, Warwick first formally met Samantha when they filmed fantasy cult classic Willow together in the late ’80s.

Prior to that encounter, Warwick had seen his future wife on the set of Labyrinth, admiring her “from afar.”

Besides appearing in Willow, Samantha had small roles alongside her husband in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II and Leprechaun 2.

The couple co-founded charity organization Little People U.K., which offered support to people with dwarfism, making sure their medical needs are met.