Overview
- An audience member shouted a racial slur during the Best Visual Effects presentation by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
- The individual was identified as John Davidson, a longtime Tourette campaigner whose life inspired I Swear, who later said he was deeply mortified and left the auditorium early.
- Host Alan Cumming addressed the hall, explaining that Tourette tics are involuntary, and staff had warned attendees before the recording that such outbursts could occur.
- The BBC aired the ceremony on delay without cutting the slur, then apologized and removed or edited the segment on iPlayer as BAFTA also issued an apology.
- Criticism of the broadcast grew after reports that other remarks were edited out elsewhere, even as Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for portraying Davidson and industry debate focused on preparedness and safeguarding.