The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards were marred by a deeply unsettling incident Sunday night when a racial slur was shouted during the presentation of the award for Best Visual Effects by actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The outburst, which occurred as the pair honored the team behind “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” prompted a swift apology from the BBC and sparked a wider conversation about navigating unforeseen disruptions during live broadcasts and the complexities of involuntary vocalizations stemming from Tourette’s syndrome. The incident underscores the challenges of live television and the need for sensitivity when dealing with medical conditions that can manifest in unpredictable ways.
Delroy Lindo addressed the incident at a BAFTA after-party, stating that he and Jordan “did what we had to do” to continue the presentation professionally. However, he expressed a desire for direct communication from BAFTA following the event, noting, “I wished someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.” The moment, while jarring, was handled with composure by both actors, but it left a palpable sense of discomfort in the room and ignited a swift response online. The incident raises questions about preparedness for such events and the support offered to those directly impacted.
The source of the outburst was identified as John Davidson, a campaigner with Tourette’s syndrome and the subject of the nominated biopic “I Swear.” The film, which explores Davidson’s life with the condition, won Robert Aramayo the Best Actor prize for his portrayal. Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary vocal tics, including the use of offensive language, a symptom experienced by an estimated 10-30% of individuals with the condition, according to Tourette’s Action. The incident highlights the often-misunderstood nature of Tourette’s syndrome and the challenges faced by those living with it.
BAFTA Ceremony Disrupted by Multiple Outbursts
The racial slur was not the only audible disruption during the BAFTA ceremony. According to reports from Variety, Davidson similarly shouted “shut the f— up” during BAFTA chair Sara Putt’s introductory speech and “f— you” when the directors of “Boong,” the winner of the Best Children’s and Family Film award, took the stage. These outbursts prompted BAFTA host Alan Cumming to address the audience, acknowledging the strong language and explaining that it was a manifestation of Davidson’s Tourette’s syndrome.
Cumming stated, “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.” He later added, “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight.” Despite Cumming’s explanation, the incident sparked considerable controversy, particularly after the broadcast aired on the BBC.
BBC Apologizes for Unedited Broadcast
The BBC faced criticism for airing the BAFTA broadcast with Davidson’s use of the N-word still audible. The broadcast was tape-delayed, and the slur was not edited out before airing on BBC One or when it remained available on BBC iPlayer. The BBC subsequently apologized, stating, “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.” The BBC removed the awards show from iPlayer following the backlash.
Sources told Variety that floor managers had warned guests seated near Davidson about his condition, but did not specify the nature of the potential outbursts. Notably, neither BAFTA nor the BBC reportedly contacted nominees or attendees beforehand to provide a warning. This lack of proactive communication contributed to the sense of unpreparedness and the subsequent controversy.
The incident has prompted a broader discussion about the responsibilities of broadcasters in handling unforeseen events during live broadcasts and the importance of sensitivity when dealing with individuals with disabilities. The situation also highlights the challenges of balancing the need to protect audiences from offensive language with the desire to respect the experiences of those living with conditions like Tourette’s syndrome.
As BAFTA and the BBC review their protocols for live events, the focus will likely be on improving communication and preparedness for similar situations in the future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of live television and the importance of creating a respectful and inclusive environment for all attendees and viewers.
What are your thoughts on how BAFTA and the BBC handled this situation? Share your opinions in the comments below.
