The BBC covers the uncomfortable moments at the 2026 BAFTAs.
At the Feb. 22 ceremony, John Davidson, whose struggle with Tourette syndrome was the inspiration for the film “I Swear,” yelled the N-word twice as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented him with the award for Best Visual Effects. And the network left the violence on its British airwaves alone, but later expressed regret.
A BBC spokesperson said in a statement on February 23: “Some viewers may have heard strongly offensive language during the BAFTAs.” “This resulted from an involuntary verbal tic associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional, as was explained during the ceremony.”
The statement added: “We apologize that this was not edited before broadcast and it will be removed from the BBC iPlayer version.”
The moment occurred when Mr. Davidson, whose condition can often cause involuntary vocal tics, according to the Mayo Clinic, shouted racial slurs during Mr. Jordan and Mr. Lind’s speeches before presenting him with a BAFTA award for “Avatar: Fire and Ashes.” Upon hearing the N-word, both actors were visibly shocked and then continued reading from the teleprompter.
