The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and the BBC have issued apologies after a guest with Tourette syndrome shouted the N-word during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony in London. The incident occurred as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, stars of the film "Sinners," were presenting the award for best visual effects on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
According to host Alan Cumming, the guest was John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette's campaigner who inspired the BAFTA-nominated film "I Swear." Cumming addressed the audience at the Royal Festival Hall, explaining that Tourette syndrome is a disability causing involuntary tics, and the person has no control over their language. He stated, "We apologize if you were offended," a phrase that later drew criticism for being dismissive.
BBC Broadcast and Additional Apology
The BBC aired the ceremony two hours after the live event, but the racial slur was still audible in the broadcast. On Monday, the BBC apologized in a statement, noting that the language arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional. They expressed regret for any offence caused by the language heard.
Criticism of the Apologies
Not everyone accepted the apologies as sufficient. Hannah Beachler, production designer for "Sinners," revealed on social media that she experienced Davidson's involuntary racial slurs three times that night, including once directed at herself and another at a Black woman. She criticized Cumming's "throw-away apology" of "if you were offended," emphasizing that it worsened an already impossible situation. Beachler wrote that while she exists above such incidents, they do not bounce off her, highlighting the emotional impact.
Expert Opinion on Handling the Situation
Ed Palmer, vice chairman of the U.K.-based non-profit Tourettes Action, suggested that the BBC should have considered bleeping out the slur in the prerecorded broadcast. He described this as an acute example where a disability can cause understandable offence, and bleeping might be a reasonable compromise to balance sensitivity with reality.
Background on John Davidson and "I Swear"
John Davidson's life with Tourette syndrome inspired the film "I Swear," which won two BAFTAs at the ceremony, including best actor for Robert Aramayo, who portrays Davidson. The incident has sparked discussions about how to handle such sensitive moments in live broadcasts and public events, especially when they involve disabilities that lead to offensive language.
The Associated Press contributed to this report, noting the broader implications for media and event management in similar scenarios.
