Michael J Fox receives standing ovation after surprise Baftas appearance

Back to the Future star Michael J Fox made an unexpected appearance at the 2024 Baftas and received a heartwarming response.

The 62-year-old actor, who has been living with Parkinson's disease, took to the stage at last night's Bafta Awards (18 February) to present the award for 'Best Film'.

Fox was met with a standing ovation and viewers have been flooding to social media in surprise over his appearance.

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of just 29.

Parkinson's is 'a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves,' as per the Mayo Clinic.

Forced to retire from acting in 2020, the Emmy Award winner has previously spoken out about how it's getting 'harder' to live with his condition, telling CBS Sunday Morning spinal surgery 'messed' with his walking.

However, despite this and how he doesn't make as many public appearances, the actor took to the stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London last night in a wheelchair, before rising from his seat to the podium to present an award.

Getty Images/ Kate Green/ BAFTA

Presenting the award for 'Best Film', Fox reflected on how there's 'a reason' people 'say movies are magic'.

"Because movies can change your day. They can change your outlook, and sometimes even your life," he continued.

The star received a standing ovation before he then presented the award of 'Best Film' awarding it to 2023 release Oppenheimer.

And he's received a similarly warm response on social media.

Getty Images/ Kate Green/ BAFTA

One X user wrote: "It was wonderful to see Michael J. Fox present the best picture award tonight at the BAFTAs."

Another added: "Michael J. Fox deserves his ovation at the BAFTAs. He has battled Parkinson's disease since 1991 and raised awareness and huge amounts of money for this horrendous disease. My own family has been affected by Parkinson’s so hats off to Michael J. Fox."

A third commented: "It's gotta be said, at 11 years old he was my movie hero. I'm nearly 50 and after seeing him at the BAFTA's tonight. He's every bit the hero I remember him to be. What a legend! #michaeljfox."

A fourth penned: "STOP IT BAFTA IM IN TEARS THE MOMENT MICHAEL J FOX CAME ON TO THE STAGE I WAS IN FLOODS OF TEARS THE MAN IS A LEGEND."

A final resolved: "He's a hero."

Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Health, Michael J Fox, Social Media

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.