Michael J Fox rises from wheelchair on stage at BAFTAs

The actor received a standing ovation as he took to the stage in a wheelchair – then stunned the crowd by rising to his feet.

Beloved actor Michael J. Fox received a standing ovation at today’s BAFTA Awards in London, taking to the stage to present the night’s final award, for Best Film.

Fox, 62, has Parkinson’s disease, and arrived on stage with the help of an attendant, who pushed him in a wheelchair.

The audience quickly rose to their feet – and so did Fox, stepping out of the wheelchair and holding on to the lectern for support as he announced the nominees for Best Film.

Fox rose from a wheelchair to present the award. Picture: Getty

Fox gestures for the audience to take a seat. Picture: Getty

Earlier, Fox walked the red carpet alongside wife of 36 years, Tracy Pollan.

Fans watching the BAFTAs were full of praise for the veteran actor:

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. #EEBAFTAs

— Declan Cashin (@Tweet_Dec) February 18, 2024

Happy to see Michael J. Fox just won the whole BAFTAs #EEBAFTAs ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5jVJG4YwFD

— Adele Carlsen 💙💛 (@adelecarlsen) February 18, 2024

Michael J Fox. Absolute hero. What a legend. #BAFTAspic.twitter.com/62lxpCy3mn

— Jules 🌼 (@JulesItsjules) February 18, 2024

Michael J. Fox omg 😭😭😭 #BAFTAspic.twitter.com/yQaOytMjVD

— Lara Hopwood (@larahopwood) February 18, 2024

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when he was 29 years old in 1991, and went public with his diagnosis in 1998.

He has spoken candidly in recent years about his experience with Parkinson’s, calling himself a “tough son of a b*tch” who has made peace with the degenerative nature of his disease. “One day I’ll run out of gas,” he said last year.

Fox and wife Tracy Pollan walk the red carpet. Picture: Adrian DENNIS / AFP

“One day I’ll just say, ‘It’s not going to happen. I’m not going out today.’ If that comes, I’ll allow myself that. I’m 62 years old. Certainly, if I were to pass away tomorrow, it would be premature, but it wouldn’t be unheard of. And so, no, I don’t fear that.”

Fox was among a slew of celebrities attending today’s BAFTAs in London – among them Aussie actress Margot Robbie, who walked the red carpet wearing the latest in her succession of Barbie-inspired award season gowns.

Fox presented the night’s biggest award, Best Film, to Oppenheimer, with that film’s star Cillian Murphy also taking out Best Actor, Robert Downey Jr winning Best Supporting Actor and Christopher Nolan winning Best Director.

Poor Things star Emma Stone won Best Actress, reserving special thanks for her mother and her dialect coach in the film during her acceptance speech.

But last year’s biggest film Barbie, which had been up for five awards, went home empty-handed.

With Oppenheimer dominating the BAFTAs, all eyes are now on the big one: next month’s Oscars, set to take place on Monday March 11.