BAFTA Apologizes After Racial Slur Erupts During Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo Award Presentation

The BAFTA Awards Incident involving a racial slur directed at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo has sparked widespread discussion about Tourette’s syndrome, live broadcasting protocols, and accountability in award shows.

During the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards held on February 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo—stars of the film Sinners—took the stage to present the award for Best Visual Effects (won by Avatar: Fire and Ash). As they began their presentation, a loud outburst was heard from the audience: the N-word, a highly offensive racial slur.

The source was John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette’s syndrome campaigner and activist who received an MBE in 2019 for his awareness work. Davidson’s life story inspired the BAFTA-nominated (and multi-award-winning) British film I Swear, which chronicles his experiences living with the neurological condition. Host Alan Cumming had earlier acknowledged Davidson’s presence and explained that some involuntary vocal tics might occur during the evening, urging understanding from the audience.

Tourette’s syndrome can involve uncontrollable vocal outbursts (known as phonic tics), which in some cases include offensive language or slurs—though these are involuntary and not reflective of the person’s beliefs or intentions. Davidson had been ticking throughout the ceremony, including during the opening monologue.

The moment caused audible gasps in the auditorium, and Lindo appeared visibly stunned before the pair professionally continued with their presentation. Neither actor immediately addressed the incident on stage.

The outburst was captured on the live BBC broadcast (which airs with a short tape delay), and it was not edited out or bleeped in time. This led to quick backlash, as the clip spread online and caused offense to viewers.

The BBC issued an apology, stating: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta film awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.” They later removed the broadcast from iPlayer and offered a follow-up explanation that producers in the outside broadcast truck had not clearly heard the slur amid the event’s audio mix.

Delroy Lindo, speaking to Vanity Fair at a post-ceremony Warner Bros. after-party, said he and Jordan “did what we had to do” by powering through the presentation professionally. However, he expressed disappointment that no one from BAFTA reached out to them afterward to address the moment directly.

The incident has prompted debate: some emphasize empathy for those with Tourette’s and the challenges of unpredictable tics in public settings, while others criticize the failure to anticipate or mitigate the risk (given prior awareness of Davidson’s condition) and the inadequate handling of the aftermath, including the delayed editing and lack of direct support for the affected presenters.

This unfortunate moment underscores the complexities of inclusivity at high-profile events—balancing awareness of neurological conditions with the need to protect attendees and audiences from harm. As reactions continue, it serves as a reminder of the human elements behind the glamour of awards season.

SOURCES:

Baftas 2026: BBC apologises for not editing out racial slur shouted by guest with Tourette’s

BBC Cuts “Free Palestine” From BAFTA Film Awards Winner’s Speech

Hannah Beachler Says BAFTAs Apology Over N-Word Slur ‘Made It Worse’

Jamie Foxx and more condemn John Davidson’s BAFTAs slur, Alan Cumming apology (Video) | Page Six

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