BBC Apologises After Racial Slur Aired at BAFTAs by Guest With Tourette’s

Published: 24 February 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

The BBC has formally apologised after a racial slur was broadcast during its coverage of the 79th BAFTA Film Awards, drawing criticism from viewers and public figures over the handling of the incident. The slur, uttered by an audience member affected by Tourette syndrome, remained in the BBC’s delayed broadcast and on its streaming platform before being removed and re‑edited.

The offensive language occurred during a ceremony held at Royal Festival Hall in London when two Black actors — Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo — were presenting an award. The individual responsible, John Davidson, is a well‑known campaigner for awareness of Tourette syndrome and was present as the inspiration behind the biographical film I Swear. The neurological condition can cause involuntary verbal tics, including the spontaneous utterance of words that the speaker does not intend to say.

BAFTA host Alan Cumming addressed the room during the ceremony, acknowledging that “strong and offensive language” might be heard and explaining that the outbursts were involuntary manifestations of Tourette syndrome, a disability that the film itself explores. Despite that explanation, the slur’s inclusion in the broadcast drew swift attention.

Viewers nationwide heard the slur in the BBC One broadcast, which was shown with a roughly two‑hour delay after the live event. The offensive term also remained on BBC iPlayer into the following day before the broadcaster took the programme offline, pledging to upload an edited version with the language removed. A BBC spokesperson said in a statement that the offensive words “arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and … was not intentional,” and apologised “for any offence caused” and for not removing them before transmission.

The incident has prompted debate about editorial responsibility and disability awareness. Disability advocacy groups noted the involuntary nature of vocal tics for some people with Tourette syndrome but also highlighted the harm of broadcasting racial slurs without immediate action to censor them. Critics questioned why the BBC did not pre‑emptively bleep or cut the slur from the delayed broadcast, especially after editing other parts of the ceremony.

Davidson himself expressed regret and embarrassment after the incident, emphasising that his actions were not reflective of personal beliefs. In public statements following the event, he reiterated that his tics are involuntary and said he was “deeply mortified” if anyone believed the outburst was intentional. Supporters have called for greater understanding of Tourette syndrome as well as clearer broadcasting guidelines for managing similar situations.

The controversy has resonated beyond disability discourse, prompting wider discussions about live event broadcasting, editorial oversight and how major networks balance inclusive representation with the need to prevent the dissemination of harmful language. Both BAFTA and the BBC have indicated lessons will be learned from the incident as they review their communications and production protocols.

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