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The British Academy of Film and Television Arts issued a formal apology after a racial slur interrupted actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards in London.
The incident took place Sunday night at the Royal Festival Hall as Jordan and Lindo presented the award for best visual effects.
John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner and executive producer of the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear,” shouted the N word from the audience. Both presenters paused briefly before continuing.
In a statement released Monday, BAFTA said it takes “full responsibility” and “apologise[s] unreservedly” to Jordan and Lindo.
“We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all,” the organization said. “Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted.”
BAFTA added that the language heard during the ceremony “carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many.”
John Davidson said the slur resulted from an involuntary tic linked to Tourette syndrome.
“I am, and always have been, deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning,” he said in a statement to the PA news agency. He added that he “chose” to leave the auditorium during the ceremony, “as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”
“I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness, and understanding from others, and I will continue to do so,” he said.
BAFTA confirmed that guests were informed before the show that Davidson was in attendance and that they might hear “strong language, involuntary noises or movements.” The organization said Tourette syndrome causes “involuntary verbal tics that the individual has no control over.”
Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience during the ceremony and later apologized for any offense viewers may have experienced.
At a post-ceremony event, Lindo said he and Jordan “did what we had to do” while presenting and said he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward.”
The ceremony aired on a two-hour delay. The slur remained in the initial broadcast.
The BBC later apologized for not editing out the language before it aired and said it removed the slur from the version available on its streaming service.
“We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast, and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer,” the broadcaster said.
A spokesperson for the charity Tourettes Action said it “deeply” understood the offense and harm caused by racial slurs but stressed that tics are involuntary and “not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions or character.”
“People with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards,” the spokesperson said.
The incident prompted debate within the film community and online about how live events and broadcasters respond when involuntary outbursts involve offensive language. BAFTA said it acknowledges the harm caused and reiterated its apology to those affected.
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