Kate Beckinsale announces death of stepfather Roy Battersby after a brief illness

Kate Beckinsale is mourning the loss of her late stepfather, director Roy Battersby, who died at 87 following a brief illness. 

The Underworld star announced Battersby’s death in a statement on her Instagram Story on Monday. 

"It is with great sorrow that the family of film and television director Roy Battersby announce the news of his recent death after a brief period of illness," it read. "He passed away peacefully on 10 January 2024, in Los Angeles surrounded by family, aged 87. Funeral will be held in London, details to follow."

In addition to her Instagram Story, Beckinsale also shared a video of Battersby, who married her mother Judy Loe in 1997, and a collection of photos of the family together in a separate post. 

"I have no words yet," she wrote in its caption. "Thank you @katebeckinsale_slovakia2 for making this beautiful thing. I fought for you with everything I had. Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost."

Beckinsale’s announcement comes after she headed to the hospital from the Golden Globes on Jan. 7 in order to be at Battersby’s bedside. The actress, who presented the award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture Drama alongside Don Cheadle, later posted photos of herself and family sitting around a hospital bed while she was still dressed in her silver gown from the awards ceremony. 

She captioned the image set, "Golden globes 2024 start to end."

Last month, Beckinsale asked her followers to send "healing energy" to Battersby on social media. "We need a miracle," she wrote. "This week has taken an even scarier turn involving the health of my beloved stepdad, Roy, and we need every tiny scrap of love and magic in the hope he pulls through."

She added, "I'd never forgive myself if I didn't try every single thing and then would wonder for the rest of my life if that would have helped."

A talented British director, Battersby is best known for his work on several popular crime dramas, including Between the Lines, Cracker, and A Touch of Frost. 

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