BAFTA and BBC Apologize for Racial Slur During Awards Show

February 27, 2026

During the British Academy Film Awards ceremony on Sunday, a racial slur was audibly broadcast while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award. The outburst came from John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome advocate attending the event, who later expressed deep regret and clarified that his involuntary verbal tics do not reflect his personal beliefs.

Who is affected

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo (the two Black actors onstage when the slur was shouted)
John Davidson (the Tourette syndrome campaigner who involuntarily shouted the slur)
Audience members at the Royal Festival Hall who heard the incident
Television viewers who watched the BBC broadcast
People with Tourette syndrome and the broader disability community

What action is being taken

BAFTA is apologizing for the offensive language
The BBC is apologizing for not editing out the slur before broadcast
The BBC is editing out the slur from future broadcasts
Tourettes Action charity is calling for public understanding of the condition
Host Alan Cumming apologized during the ceremony and explained Tourette syndrome to the audience

Why it matters

This incident highlights the complex intersection between disability accommodation, racial sensitivity, and public broadcasting standards. It demonstrates the challenges faced by people with Tourette syndrome, particularly those who experience coprolalia, when participating in public events. The situation also emphasizes the need for greater public understanding of neurological conditions and involuntary behaviors, while simultaneously acknowledging the real harm and trauma that racial slurs cause to those targeted by such language, regardless of intent.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint