BAFTA, BBC Apologize to Michael B. Jordan After Slur Incident

Hollywood Celebrities
Roland Hannah
Image of: Michael B. Jordan [Image Source: VARIETY]

The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and the BBC apologized on Monday after an attendee with Tourette syndrome unintentionally shouted a racial slur during the 79th annual awards ceremony in London. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who were presenting the best visual effects award, were the targets of the offensive outburst, triggering widespread concern across the film community. The Michael B. Jordan apology came amid a complex response to the incident, which was attributed to involuntary tics associated with Tourette syndrome.

Details of the Incident During the Awards Presentation

While onstage at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Jordan and Lindo, stars of the film Sinners, encountered disruption caused by John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette syndrome awareness. Davidson’s outburst included a racial slur and other strong language heard during the presentation of the first award of the evening. The two Black actors paused briefly after the slur was shouted but continued with the presentation despite the distressing interruption.

Davidson, who inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear and served as its executive producer, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at age 25. The film explores his struggle with the disorder, particularly the uncontrollable swearing that is symptomatic of his condition. BAFTA and the BBC both clarified that the offensive language was involuntary and tied to Davidson’s Tourette’s tics.

Explanations from BAFTA and the BBC About Tourette Syndrome

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines Tourette syndrome as a neurological disorder that causes individuals to make sudden, repeated sounds or movements called “tics.” BAFTA explained that

“Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over.”

The organization expressed regret for the harm caused, stating it

“acknowledge[s] the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.”

It praised Jordan and Lindo for their “incredible dignity and professionalism” in managing the situation.

Further, BAFTA emphasized,

“Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional,”

and noted that measures were taken to inform the audience before and during the event about the possibility of hearing strong or offensive language linked to Davidson’s condition.

A BBC spokesperson said,

“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.”

Controversy Over Broadcast and Reactions Across the Industry

The incident stirred outrage particularly because the racial slur and swearing remained unedited during the initial broadcast, despite the event airing on a two-hour delay. Several high-profile figures, including actor Jamie Foxx, publicly condemned the decision to air the offensive language, calling the situation unacceptable. NBC News reviewed footage from the event, highlighting that the U.S. broadcast on the E! network did not censor the slur either. Though the BBC later removed the offensive language from versions available on its iPlayer platform.

Representatives for Jordan, Lindo, and Versant, which owns E!, did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the incident or the broadcast decisions.

Additional Disruptions and Acknowledgment From Event Host

Variety, which was present at the awards recording, reported further disruptions involving verbal outbursts such as “shut the f— up” during BAFTA Chair Sara Putt’s introductory speech and “f— you” during the acceptance of the best children’s and family film award. Throughout the ceremony, Alan Cumming, the show’s host, referenced the “strong and offensive language” multiple times and asked for the audience’s understanding.

Cumming explained,

“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 also reiterated the involuntary nature of the tics later, stating,

“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 were offended.”

Background and Recognition of the Film I Swear

The film I Swear received critical acclaim in the U.K., capturing a best actor win for Robert Aramayo for his portrayal of Davidson. The movie, which depicts Davidson’s diagnosis and efforts to educate the public about Tourette syndrome, is scheduled for U.S. release on April 24 by Sony Pictures Classics. Neither the film’s director, Kirk Jones, nor representatives from Sony and Bankside Films made immediate comments regarding the controversy. Davidson himself has not responded to messages sent via his personal Instagram account.

When accepting his award, Aramayo described Davidson as

“the most remarkable man I ever met.”

He also highlighted Davidson’s dedication to education, saying,

“He’s so forthcoming with education and he believes there should be still so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s. For people living with Tourette’s, it’s us around them who help them define what their experience is. So, to quote the film, they need support and understanding.”

Support and Backlash From the Tourette’s Community and Fans

Some individuals online, including people living with Tourette’s, voiced support for Davidson and echoed calls for compassion. One user identifying with multiple health challenges criticized the backlash against Davidson, writing,

“What happened at the #BAFTAs was unfortunate, but the ignorant disgust directed towards fellow sufferer John Davidson (including by some actors including #JamieFoxx) is thoroughly unwarranted. He, like I, cannot control his vocalisations. Like other sufferers I’ve faced revulsion, discrimination, and even threats of violence as a result of some of my vocalisations.”

The user added,

“But sufferers like me don’t deserve to be told we shouldn’t go to certain places, attend events, walk in the streets, or even leave the house.”

Another comment read,

“Depressing amounts of ableism from people you’d expect to know better, no compassion, no solidarity, just people ranting selfishly on issues they are monstrously uninformed on. John Davidson has a neurodevelopmental disorder he physically can not help what he says.”

Criticism From Hollywood and Event Attendees

Despite calls for understanding, many in the entertainment industry argued that defending Davidson overlooked the significant hurt caused to those involved. The 2026 BAFTAs were intended to celebrate director Ryan Coogler’s historic win as the first Black man to receive best original screenplay for Sinners, which took home three awards in total.

Hannah Beachler, the production designer for Sinners, criticized the apologies offered during the ceremony and the repeated outbursts during the event. Writing on X, she described the experience as “almost impossible” and revealed that one of the three occasions when Davidson’s verbal tics occurred was directed at her personally after the show. She added,

“And a third time at a Black woman. I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw-away apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show.”

Beachler further stated,

“Of course we were offended…but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steel, this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can’t take away from who I am as an artist.”

Calls for Greater Focus on the Impact to the Victims

Journalist Jemele Hill expressed frustration with the public’s prioritization of forgiveness for Davidson over empathy for Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. Hill wrote on X,

“Asking for more grace for the person who shouted a racist slur instead of for Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who had to push through being embarrassed in front of their peers. But that’s often the expectation — that Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanized so that other people don’t feel bad.”

In a post-awards interview with Vanity Fair, Lindo commented on how he and Jordan managed the moment, saying they

“did what we had to do.”

He also expressed disappointment, hoping

“someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.”

Responsibility Placed on BAFTA and the BBC for Handling the Situation

Many observers called out BAFTA and the BBC for their approach to the incident, pointing to the emotional pain inflicted on both the actors and Davidson. Marisha Wallace, a U.K.-based actress and singer, decried the failure to edit out the offensive slur, writing on X,

“I’m still in shock how that slur was left in in the replay of the BAFTAs they had time to edit it out and didn’t is so wild to me. Not only hurtful to the man who said it but also the actors and people of color who had to hear it. It’s just insane. How?”

Another online voice added,

“Inclusion means protecting disabled voices AND Black audiences BBC compliance stepup.”

In their official statement, BAFTA accepted

“full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all.”

They pledged to learn from the incident and reaffirmed their commitment to keeping inclusion central to their work, highlighting film and storytelling as vital tools for fostering compassion and empathy.

https://twitter.com/TriciaMarwick/status/2025962896597954702

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Roland Hannah
Roland Hannah