The BBC has apologized after a racial slur was aired during its delayed broadcast of the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony.
The incident occurred when John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette’s campaigner whose life inspired the nominated film I Swear, shouted the N-word while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award. The ceremony, broadcast on a two-hour delay on BBC One, initially included the audible slur and remained available on BBC iPlayer before being removed and edited.
In a statement, the BBC said: “We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.” The corporation explained that the outburst stemmed from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional.
BAFTA also issued an apology to Jordan, Lindo and viewers, acknowledging the harm caused. Lindo later said he and Jordan “did what we had to do” in the moment but wished someone from BAFTA had spoken to them afterward.
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary movements or sounds, known as tics. Experts note that a minority of individuals experience coprolalia, involving socially inappropriate language.
