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2mo ago

BBC Apologizes for Airing Racial Slur at BAFTAs as Attendee With Tourette’s Expresses Remorse

The broadcaster will remove the clip from iPlayer following a public apology for not editing the delayed show.

L'acteur et maître de cérémonie Alan Cumming à son arrivée aux Bafta, les récompenses britanniques du cinéma, à Londres, le 22 février 2026
Image
La BBC s'est excusée lundi de ne pas avoir coupé, lors de la diffusion la veille de la cérémonie des Bafta, les récompenses britanniques du cinéma, une insulte raciste lancée par une personne atteinte du syndrome de Gilles de la Tourette
L'acteur américain Michael B. Jordan lors des Bafta à Londres, le 22 février 2026

Overview

  • The slur was audible during the 79th ceremony as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented visual effects on a two-hour delayed BBC broadcast.
  • The attendee was identified as John Davidson, the Scottish activist whose life inspired the film I Swear, and he chose to leave the event early.
  • In a statement to PA, Davidson said he was “mortified” and emphasized that his vocal tics are involuntary and do not reflect his beliefs.
  • Host Alan Cumming apologized during the ceremony and explained that Tourette syndrome can involve involuntary verbal tics after the audience had been briefed earlier.
  • BAFTA apologized to Jordan and Lindo as advocacy group Tourettes Action urged understanding, while some guests criticized the event’s handling and the unedited broadcast.