‘Living legend’ Michael J Fox, 62, leaves viewers in tears during rare Bafta appearance

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Bafta viewers couldn’t help but smile as the iconic Michael J Fox made a surprise appearance on stage to present the final award of the night.

He had walked on the red carpet hours before, using wife Tracy Polin to support himself, prompting an outpouring of love.

Michael, 62, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 and as a result, the legend is rarely seen at these huge awards shows or other events.

Fans were shocked that not only did he attend the celebration but also headed into the spotlight as he presented Oppenheimer with the crown for best film of 2024.

Host David Tennant announced the Back to the Future legend was joining him on stage, sparking a standing ovation from the esteemed audience.

After using a wheelchair in his entrance, everyone was in tears as he stepped up to the podium with some aid from an assistant.

Michael J Fox got a standing ovation when he presented the award (Picture: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA) He had walked the red carpet with wife Tracy Pollan earlier in the evening (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)

The Teen Wolf star looked incredibly well as he smiled and joked before announcing the nominees and eventually Christopher Nolan’s atomic bomb biopic as the night’s top film.

‘Seeing Michael J. Fox at @BAFTA awards. Holy s**t, that brought me to tears. What an inspiring man,’ tweeted Paul Nicholson.

Another X user Lainey added: ‘I will continue to say this forever. Michael J Fox is the most precious human being and he deserves all the great things in the world. We don’t deserve him.’

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‘Okay they’re really trying to make me cry bringing Michael J Fox on to present the award😭😭,’ shared Mols while Louise Pallot added: ‘Love this standing ovation for Michael J Fox, it’s making me emotional.’

Declan Cashin wrote: ‘All those stars in the room, and still the biggest and most affectionate reaction is for Michael J Fox, because the man is a legend.’

‘My eyes well up every time I see Michael J Fox. What an absolute hero that man is,’ shared Sean McLaughlin.

Baftas 2024: Full list of winners Best film Outstanding British film Best leading actress

Best leading actor

Best supporting actress

Best supporting actor

Best director

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer Best film not in the English language Best documentary Best animated film Best original screenplay Best adapted screenplay Best casting

Best cinematography Best editing Best costume design Best makeup and hair Best original score

Best production design

Best sound

Best special visual effects Best British short animation Best British short film EE Rising Star award (voted for by the public)

In 1991 when he was just 29 years old, the actor was diagnosed with the long-term neurological condition which can ‘cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, walking and balance problems’, with symptoms ‘slowly worsening over time’.

Nine years later he founded The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and has been a huge advocate for information and research ever since.

‘I would say it’s a gift. People would look at me and go, “It’s the gift that keeps on taking,” but it’s a gift,’ he said in an interview for a documentary on Parkinson’s.

‘I realised I had to turn it into something and make it some positive thing that affected other people in a positive way. So I did, I started a foundation, but it took me a long time to get there.’

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