Overview
- Director-general Tim Davie instructed the Executive Complaints Unit to investigate how the slur was broadcast and why it remained on BBC iPlayer until the next morning.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she raised the issue with the BBC chief, called the broadcast completely unacceptable and harmful, and welcomed a full investigation.
- The BBC apologised, cited involuntary tics associated with Tourette’s, and removed the offending segment from the streaming version after the televised edit failed.
- BBC content chief Kate Phillips said a separate involuntary slur was edited out, the incident was not heard in the outside broadcast truck, and PA reported Warner Bros asked for its removal from the show.
- John Davidson said he was deeply mortified and described the outburst as an involuntary tic, while MPs including Dawn Butler and Kim Johnson challenged the BBC’s editorial controls and duty of care.