BBC apologises after guest with Tourette's shouts racial slur during Baftas

The BBC has apologised after a guest with Tourette's syndrome shouted a racial slur when two black actors were on stage at the Bafta Film Awards.

John Davidson, whose life story inspired the film I Swear, shouted the N-word as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of Sunday's ceremony, which was broadcast on BBC One.

A BBC spokesman said: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards 2026.

"This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard."

The shout was audible in the broadcast, although many viewers would have struggled to make out the word.

The moment wasn't edited out of the programme, which was shown on a two-hour delay, and remained on BBC iPlayer on Monday morning before the ceremony was later removed from the streaming service.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch told Good Morning Britain the BBC had made "a horrible mistake", adding: "I think an apology is important, they need to explain why it wasn't bleeped out."

Tourette's is characterised by sudden, involuntary and repetitive movements or sounds, known as tics, which often manifest as outbursts such as loud swearing.

Davidson shouted loudly several times before and during the Bafta ceremony.

Host Alan Cumming later told the audience: "You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette's syndrome.

"Tourette's syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended."

Hannah Beachler, the production designer from the film Sinners, wrote on X: "The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.

"I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through.

"But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of 'if you were offended' at the end of the show. Of course we were offended."

Jordan's former co-star on The Wire, Wendell Pierce, posted: "It's infuriating that the first reaction wasn't complete and full throated apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan.

"The insult to them takes priority. It doesn't matter the reasoning for the racist slur."

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx added in a comment posted on Instagram that the slur had been "unacceptable".

Speaking to BBC News afterwards, Robert Aramayo, who won best actor for playing Davidson in I Swear, said: "They're tics, he [Davidson] is ticking, and we have to understand that the way we perceive Tourette's is a joint responsibility.

"It's not shouting obscenities, it's not being abusive, it's Tourette's and they're tics.

"So if it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourette's syndrome and what tics actually are, if our movie is a part of that conversation, then that's a really incredible thing."

Pippa McClounan, communications manager of the Tourette's Action charity, told BBC News: "What we've got to try and remember is, as much as these words do cause hurt and shock in people, it's really vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette's syndrome, that the tics are involuntary, and they are in no way reflection of what that person is thinking and their beliefs.

"It's not a what their intention is or what their character's like. It's involuntary. It's a neurological condition. It's so complex to try and understand why this happens."

Such tics, called coprolalia, affect between 10% to 30% of people with Tourette's, she said.

"This is what John lives with every day of his life. It's not just one occasion at an award ceremony. This is his life, and the backlash that he experiences throughout his life you see in the film.

"We hope that people who are reading and maybe commenting on it will also take the time to watch the film, learn about Tourette's, and understand the experiences behind those moments."

I Swear follows Davidson's struggle growing up with Tourette's in 1980s Scotland.

Davidson was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and help families deal with it.

As well as best actor, Aramayo, from Hull, also received the Baftas' Rising Star prize, and I Swear won best casting.