“I Am, and Always Have Been Deeply Mortified If Anyone Considers My Involuntary Tics to Be Intentional or to Carry Any Meaning,” John Davidson said in a Statement
What was meant to be a celebratory night for British film quickly turned tense after a racial slur was heard during the broadcast of the 2026 BAFTA Awards.
Actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the award for Best Visual Effects when an attendee audibly shouted the N word during the pre recorded ceremony, which aired later on BBC.
The moment, which lasted roughly 20 seconds, remained in the broadcast despite a two hour delay before it aired to viewers.
BAFTA and BBC Issue Apologies
Hours after backlash spread across social media, BAFTA released a statement acknowledging the harm caused.
“Our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many,” the organization said. “We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.”
The BBC also apologized for airing the “strong and offensive language,” confirming that the segment would be removed from its on demand iPlayer platform after it remained available online for more than 15 hours.
The outburst was later attributed to John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner who was in attendance.
Davidson Says He Is “Deeply Mortified” If People Considers His Tics Intentional
Davidson, whose life inspired the film “I Swear,” issued a statement through Deadline saying he was “deeply mortified” if viewers interpreted his involuntary verbal tic as intentional.
“I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning,” Davidson said Monday. He explained he attended the ceremony to celebrate the film, which centers on Tourette syndrome and its impact.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that can cause sudden, repetitive movements or vocal sounds known as tics.
Davidson said he left the auditorium about 25 minutes into the ceremony because he was aware that his tics were causing distress.
Earlier in the evening, host Alan Cumming referenced the presence of strong language associated with Tourette syndrome, though many viewers said the explanation did little to soften the impact once the slur aired unedited.
Jordan and Lindo Continue With Composure and Grace
Despite visibly tensing in the moment, Jordan and Lindo proceeded to present the award without addressing the interruption on stage.
Later, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and his “Sinners” co star “did what we had to do,” though he said they wished someone from BAFTA had spoken to them afterward.
The ceremony otherwise marked historic wins, including Ryan Coogler becoming the first Black recipient of the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay, and Wunmi Mosaku earning Best Supporting Actress.
However, attention remained focused on the incident.
Additional Allegations Surface
Production designer Hannah Beachler later shared on X that similar language was heard multiple times that evening, including once directed at her while leaving for dinner after the ceremony and once at another Black woman.
“I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can’t find the words,” Beachler wrote. She added that what compounded the situation was what she described as a “throw away apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show.”
“Of course, we were offended,” she wrote. “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.”
The incident has prompted ongoing debate online about accountability, disability awareness, and the responsibility of broadcasters to prevent harmful language from reaching audiences, particularly when a program is not airing live.
