Warning: This article contains details of baby loss that some readers may find upsetting
Warwick Davis has opened up about the lasting impact the death of his firstborn child has had on him.
The 52-year-old Harry Potter star experienced a heartbreaking loss when he and his wife Samantha lost their son Lloyd, who died just nine days after being born due to complications from dwarfism, which he inherited from his parents.
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Davis said the grief from losing is child is something you 'never get over' in a new interview.
"I think it brings you closer together, or something like that. But it’s an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It’s devastating," he told People.
"You do learn to live with it. Eventually, over time, you’re able to better understand why it happened and can come to terms with it a bit more. But you never get over it."
The couple then lost a second child to miscarriage at 20 weeks, several years after Lloyd's death. They named their son George.
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They are also parents to daughter, Annabelle, 25 and son, Harrison, 19.
"I think the losses shaped our family dynamic,’ he reflected. "We love Annabelle and Harrison all that more because they’re here with us."
Davis shared that the family will never forget their losses and are 'grateful' for the 'short time' they had with Lloyd and George.
"We’ll always remember what happened with George and Lloyd," he added. "We’ll always be grateful that we had them for the short time that we did."
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Davis is starring in the new Disney+ series Willow, which is based on the cult 1988 film in which he portrays the titular Nelwyn farmer and aspiring sorcerer, Willow Ufgood.
The fantasy adventure film, executive produced by Star Wars mastermind George Lucas, follows the aspiring sorcerer as he teams up with a warrior to protect a baby from an evil queen.
Released to mixed reviews, it failed to turn into a major blockbuster however it became popular in subsequent years through strong home video sales and broadcasts on television.
The Lucasfilm-produced television series serves as a sequel and both of Davis’ children are involved in the show.
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Annabelle Davis makes a guest appearance as Mims, Willow’s daughter while his son Harrison was his dad’s stunt double on set.
“Obviously, being Cast Member No. 1, they didn’t want to damage me,” Warwick joked in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
“So they said, ‘Who do you want as a double?’ I said, ‘Well, actually, my 18-year-old son is exactly the same height as I am.’ Same build, walks the same as I do.”
Willow is available to watch on Disney+ now.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
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Baby loss charity Tommy's offers support for dads and partners who have lost a baby. Visit their website here.
Gregory Robinson