The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards were supposed to be a celebration of cinema’s biggest achievements—but instead, the ceremony became engulfed in controversy that lingered for more than a full day after the final award was handed out.
The moment unfolded when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took the stage to present the award for Special Visual Effects. During their appearance, John Davidson—a Tourette syndrome advocate and the subject of the nominated biopic I Swear—shouted a racial slur from the audience. Davidson reportedly had several vocal outbursts throughout the night. Attendees had been warned beforehand that he might experience involuntary tics related to his condition.
Host Alan Cumming addressed the interruptions during the ceremony, explaining that Tourette syndrome is a neurological disability and that the outbursts were involuntary. He thanked the audience for their understanding and later apologized to anyone who felt offended. However, criticism quickly erupted online after viewers realized the slur was included in the BBC’s broadcast, which aired approximately two hours after the live event.
The controversy intensified when it was revealed that the offensive language remained on the BBC’s iPlayer platform until the following morning, when it was removed and re-edited. Observers pointed out that other parts of the show—including a political remark during an acceptance speech—had been edited out for time, raising questions about why the slur was not cut before airing.
Adding to the backlash, reports indicated that no BAFTA representative immediately reached out to Jordan or Lindo following the incident. Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler took to social media to express her distress, calling the apology insufficient and saying the moment deeply affected her.
The BBC issued a statement acknowledging that “strong and offensive language” had been broadcast, attributing it to involuntary tics. U.K.-based charity Tourette’s Action urged the public to recognize the neurological nature of the condition. Meanwhile, U.S. viewers watching the E! telecast did not hear the slur, as that broadcast aired hours later with the audio removed.
As outrage mounted—particularly given ongoing conversations about diversity and inclusion within the industry—BAFTA released a more comprehensive apology. The organization offered an unreserved apology to Jordan and Lindo, praised their professionalism, and acknowledged the “trauma and pain” caused by the incident. BAFTA stated it takes full responsibility and committed to reviewing its procedures to prevent similar situations in the future.
Davidson later said he was mortified by what happened but appreciated the show’s acknowledgment of his condition beforehand. What began as a celebratory night for film quickly evolved into a broader debate about accountability, live broadcast responsibility, disability awareness, and how institutions respond when a global audience is watching.
