Bafta Film Awards 2021: Edgar Wright reacts as Diana Rigg is absent from 'In Memoriam' montage

Filmmaker Edgar Wright was among the movie fans to question the absence of Dame Diana Rigg from the 'In Memoriam' montage at Sunday night's Bafta Film Awards.

The star, who famously portrayed Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, passed away in September at the age of 82.

Read more: Dame Diana Rigg's greatest roles

Despite her significance to the British film industry, she was not present alongside the likes of Sean Connery and David Prowse in the Bafta's montage of departed creatives.

Among those to note Rigg's absence was Wright, who directed the star in one of her final performances — the as-yet-unreleased British horror Last Night in Soho.

In the aftermath of Rigg's passing, Wright wrote a heartfelt tribute to the star in which he recalled his final interaction with her.

He wrote that he visited her house to complete additional dialogue recording for the film and that they later shared a phone call in which they shared their final goodbyes.

Read more: Wright's co-writer teases Last Night in Soho

Other Bafta viewers commented on social media that it was a surprise not to see Rigg appear in the montage, with fellow Bond girl Honor Blackman — who appeared in Goldfinger — also absent.

One viewer said it was a "disgrace" for Rigg not to be featured.

The official Bafta Twitter account has since replied to several viewers, confirming that Rigg will be honoured at this year's Bafta TV Awards ceremony, in recognition of her work on the small screen — most famously as Emma Peel in 1960s hit The Avengers.

They also confirmed that Blackman, who passed away in April 2020, was honoured at last year's Bafta TV Awards.

Tributes were paid to Rigg from across the world of film and television when she died, with George Lazenby — who played Bond in the film in which she appeared — among those offering kind words of memory.

"She undoubtedly raised my acting game when we made On Her Majesty’s Secret Service together in 1968-9," he said, adding: "Her depth of experience really helped me. We were good friends on set."

Read more: Bafta pays tribute to Prince Philip

The Bafta Film Awards were handed out over two nights this weekend, hosted by Clara Amfo, Dermot O'Leary and Edith Bowman.

Nomadland was the big winner, with four awards — including Best Film, Best Director for Chloe Zhao and Best Actress for Frances McDormand.

Watch: Diana Rigg once stormed off the set of Game of Thrones