BBC apologises for airing BAFTA racial slur made by guest with Tourette syndrome

The BBC apologised on Tuesday for failing to edit out a racial slur from its broadcast of Britain’s top movie awards, after a guest with Tourette syndrome shouted out while two black actors from the film Sinners were presenting an award.

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the BAFTA awards on Sunday night when John Davidson shouted a racial slur. The BBC broadcast the show about two hours later and the offensive language remained in the program, and on the broadcaster’s streaming platform until Monday morning (UK time).

Later in the program, film director Akinola Davies Jr said “Free Palestine” in an acceptance speech. The BBC edited the remark out of the broadcast.

The racial slur by Davidson sparked anger from several black actors and a production designer who said there should have been a more comprehensive apology at the time. Davidson attended the BAFTA awards in London after his life inspired the film I Swear, which won several awards.

Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make involuntary, sudden and repetitive sounds or movements known as tics, which can sometimes include swearing.

A BBC spokesperson said on Tuesday that some viewers might have heard “strong and offensive language” during the awards program.

“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast, and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”

In a separate statement, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts said: “We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.”

BAFTA said it had taken steps to make the audience aware of the tics and the possibility that they could hear strong language during the ceremony.

“Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted,” the academy said. “We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”

Davidson issued his own statement on Tuesday, emphasising that his tics are not a reflection of his personal beliefs.

“I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning,” he said.

“I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so … I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”

The host of the awards, actor Alan Cumming, apologised for the offensive language later during the ceremony, and said the person with Tourette had no control over what he had said. Cumming added: “We apologise if you were offended.”

Wendell Pierce, Jordan’s co-star on The Wire, said on X it was infuriating that the two actors did not receive a full and immediate apology.

“The insult to them takes priority,” he said. “It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur.”

Hannah Beachler, the Sinners production designer, said it had been an “impossible situation”, but the “throw-away” apology had made it worse. “Of course we were offended,” she said.

Sinners, a vampire thriller that celebrates blues music and Black culture in the segregation-era American South, is in the midst of a historic awards season for Black cinema.

It has a record 16 Oscar nominations and at the BAFTAs, the movie won awards for best original screenplay for writer and director Ryan Coogler, best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku and best original score.

Jordan has been nominated for multiple awards, including an Oscar, for his portrayal of twin brothers in Sinners. Lindo, a stage and film actor, is also nominated for an Oscar.

I Swear tells the story of Davidson growing up with Tourette syndrome and the impact it had on his life, culminating in him becoming a campaigner to raise awareness of the condition.

BAFTA said Davidson chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony on a screen.

“We would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him,” BAFTA said.

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

The Tourettes Action charity group said it understood the hurt Davidson’s words had caused at the BAFTAs, but said they did not reflect a person’s beliefs, intentions or character.

“We are deeply sorry to the Black community for the harm caused, but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary,” the group said in a statement.

Reuters, with Nell Geraets

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