British former child actor, 32, dies in Los Angeles wildfires

Rory Callum Sykes, 32, who appeared in the British TV show Kiddy Kapers during the 1990s, has died in the LA wildfires.

A former child actor has been named as one of the victims of the California wildfires.

Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the LA wildfires

Rory Callum Sykes’s mother announced on social media that she was unable to save her son and he died at their family home in Malibu on January 8.

‘It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday,’ announced his mother in a devastating post on X.

‘I’m totally heart broken. British-born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine & his grandmas birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum Sykes.’

She then spoke about her son’s disabilities: ‘@rorysykes was born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking. He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica.’

Sykes co-founded with his mother, the Happy Charity, which raises money for sick children globally. In later years he was also an online gamer, philanthropist and public speaker.

She revealed that her son died on their estate after his self-contained cottage on the estate caught fire and he was trapped inside.

‘@rorysykes had his own cottage on our 17 acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate, decked out with all the latest apple gadgets, which burnt down yesterday 8 Jan 2024 Malibu Fires.

‘I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water.

‘Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day! He will be incredibly missed by @shelleysykes , mama his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie & all his online fans around the world!’

The grieving mother also told Australian outlet 10 News First that her son told her to leave him behind.

‘He said, “Mum leave me” and no mom can leave their kid. I’ve got a broken arm, I couldn’t lift him, I couldn’t move him,’ she said through tears.

She explained that she fled to a fire department to try and get help when she realised she was unable to get to her son, but by the time she returned to the estate, his cottage had been burned to the ground.

There have been 11 confirmed deaths so far, but reports suggest Sykes will not be included in the official death toll until cadaver dogs can officially locate his remains.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE: Fears LA wildfires could spread deadly fungi – would it be like The Last of Us?

MORE: Jennifer Garner reveals her friend died in LA fires in heartbreaking interview

MORE: Jeremy Clarkson fumes over claims celebrity LA wildfire victims ‘don’t matter’