The BBC and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts apologized to viewers after a racial slur was broadcast during the 2026 BAFTA Awards ceremony on Sunday night. The offensive language came from John Davidson, a Scottish activist with Tourette syndrome who was invited to the event as a guest of honor. Davidson inspired the film "I Swear," which was nominated for multiple awards and won big at the ceremony, including best actor for Robert Aramayo.
Key Takeaways
- A guest with Tourette syndrome shouted a racial slur during the live ceremony while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award
- The BBC apologized for not editing out the slur before the broadcast aired on a two-hour delay
- Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience during the ceremony to explain that the outburst was an involuntary tic associated with the neurological condition
- The BBC said it would remove the slur from the online version available on BBC iPlayer
Background
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition that causes involuntary movements and vocal tics. In some cases, people with the disorder experience outbursts of inappropriate language that they cannot control. The condition typically develops in childhood and can range from mild to severe.
John Davidson is a well-known Scottish campaigner who advocates for people living with Tourette syndrome. His life inspired the creation of "I Swear," a film that received significant recognition at this year's BAFTA Awards. The movie was nominated for five awards and ended up winning multiple categories, with Aramayo taking home the leading actor award.
Davidson was invited to attend the ceremony as a guest, and host Alan Cumming had introduced him to the audience before the incident occurred. Cumming explained Davidson's background and his connection to the nominated film, setting context for viewers about who he was.
Key Details
What Happened During the Ceremony
The racial slur was shouted while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the award for best visual effects. The two actors appeared startled by the outburst but continued with their presentation without interruption. The incident occurred during the live broadcast of the ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall.
After the outburst, host Alan Cumming took the opportunity to address the audience directly about what they had just heard. He explained the nature of Tourette syndrome and emphasized that the tics are involuntary, meaning Davidson had no control over his language.
"Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you've heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you were offended." – Alan Cumming
Davidson reportedly left the ceremony partway through the proceedings of his own accord, according to the BBC.
The Broadcast Issue
The ceremony was recorded and then broadcast approximately two hours after the live event. Despite having time to edit the content before airing, the BBC did not remove the racial slur from the broadcast. The offensive language remained audible when viewers watched the show on television and initially on the BBC's iPlayer streaming service.
Critics pointed out that the BBC had edited other portions of the awards show. One example was an award presenter saying "Free Palestine," which was removed from the broadcast. This raised questions about why the slur wasn't similarly edited out, given that the broadcast was pre-recorded and the BBC had the opportunity to do so.
The BBC later issued a statement acknowledging the mistake and apologizing for the oversight. The broadcaster said it would remove the slur from the version available on BBC iPlayer. However, the edited version wasn't immediately available, and the offensive language could still be heard on the streaming service on Monday morning.
Ed Palmer, vice chairman of the charity Tourettes Action, suggested that bleeping out the slur would have been a reasonable compromise. He acknowledged the difficult position the BBC found itself in, noting that this represents "one of the most acute examples of where something that is a disability can cause quite understandably huge amounts of offense to someone."
What This Means
The incident raises complex questions about how broadcasters should handle involuntary outbursts from people with neurological conditions. On one hand, there's a need to protect viewers from hearing offensive language. On the other hand, there's a responsibility to treat people with disabilities with dignity and avoid stigmatizing them or their conditions.
the BBC had the opportunity to edit the slur before broadcast but failed to do so has drawn criticism. Some argue that when content is pre-recorded and edited for broadcast, networks have a responsibility to remove offensive language, even when it's unintentional.
At the same time, the ceremony itself was notable for celebrating "I Swear" and its recognition of Davidson's story. The film's success at the BAFTAs demonstrates growing interest in stories about people with disabilities and their experiences. Aramayo's win for best actor was particularly significant, as he beat out category favorite Timothée Chalamet, who was nominated for "Marty Supreme."
The incident also highlights the ongoing conversation about how society handles disability in public spaces. While most viewers and commentators understood that Davidson's outburst was involuntary and not his fault, it was broadcast to millions of people sparked debate about responsibility and oversight.
The BBC's response—apologizing and committing to edit the content—suggests the broadcaster recognized it should have taken steps to protect viewers while also being respectful to Davidson and his condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tourette syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations called tics. In some cases, people with Tourette syndrome experience vocal tics that involve outbursts of inappropriate words or phrases. The condition typically begins in childhood and is not something the person can control.
Why didn't the BBC edit out the slur before broadcast?
The BBC has not provided a detailed explanation for why the slur wasn't removed during the editing process. However, the broadcaster acknowledged in its apology that it should have edited out the offensive language before airing the show. Critics noted that the BBC did edit other content from the ceremony, making the decision not to remove the slur more questionable.
What happened to John Davidson after the incident?
According to the BBC, Davidson left the ceremony partway through the proceedings of his own accord. He was not removed or asked to leave by security or organizers. His film "I Swear" continued to win awards throughout the evening, with actor Robert Aramayo taking home the leading actor award.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tourette syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations called tics. In some cases, people with Tourette syndrome experience vocal tics that involve outbursts of inappropriate words or phrases. The condition typically begins in childhood and is not something the person can control.
Why didn’t the BBC edit out the slur before broadcast?
The BBC has not provided a detailed explanation for why the slur wasn’t removed during the editing process. However, the broadcaster acknowledged in its apology that it should have edited out the offensive language before airing the show. Critics noted that the BBC did edit other content from the ceremony, making the decision not to remove the slur more questionable.
What happened to John Davidson after the incident?
According to the BBC, Davidson left the ceremony partway through the proceedings of his own accord. He was not removed or asked to leave by security or organizers. His film “I Swear” continued to win awards throughout the evening, with actor Robert Aramayo taking home the leading actor award.
