Russell Crowe was unable to accept his Golden Globe award as he’s in Australia “protecting his family from the bushfires”.

The actor won Best Actor in a Limited series for the role of disgraced Fox CEO Roger Ailes in The Loudest Voice, but presenters Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon quickly notified the crowd that he wasn’t present.

Crowe sent along a message for them to read out in case he won the award.

“Russell Crowe could not be here with us tonight because he is at home in Australia protecting his family from the devastating bushfires,” Aniston said, before reading the poignant note.

“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based.

Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires Show all 8 1 /8 Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires Dead cattle lie by the road to Marysville after bushfires destroyed the town. GETTY Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires A eucalyptus forest burns after a bushfire swept past the town of Yackandandah in the Victoria Alps. GETTY Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires A firefighter backburns to prevent a bushfire in the Kiewa Valley from reaching the town of Dederang in the Victoria Alps. GETTY Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires A firefighter watches a helicopter water bomb a bushfire approaching the town of Peats Ridge, north of Sydney. GETTY Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires A dead kangaroo lies beside a burnt-out section of the Hume Highway near Seymour. GETTY Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires Julie Whiteley's house is reduced to ash, north of Warrigal REX Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires A displaced family is reunited in Whittlesea yesterday AFP/GETTY Australia fears more than 200 dead in bushfires Melted alloy wheels of burnt-out vehicles lie on the ground in Bendigo GETTY

“We need to act based on science, move our global work force to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way, we have a future. Thank you.”

Authorities in Australia have warned that “the worst is yet to come” after a day of blazes that killed two people and injured four firefighters.

More than 200 people are feared dead.

The ceremony’s top prizes went to First World War drama 1917 and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which won Best Film in their respective Drama and Comedy categories.

Elsewhere, Phoebe Waller-Bridge took home two prizes for her work on Fleabag and, while accepting the trophy for Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical, cracked a raunchy joke about Barack Obama.

Ricky Gervais hosted the ceremony and immediately shocked with a joke about Leonardo DiCaprio’s 22-year-old girlfriend, Camila Morrone, and Prince Andrew.