The British Academy Film Awards and the BBC have issued apologies after a racial slur was broadcast during Sunday’s ceremony as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects. The slur was uttered by John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner who was present at the event and is the subject of the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear,” which details his life with the condition.
The incident occurred as Jordan and Lindo, both Black, were onstage. Host Alan Cumming subsequently addressed the audience, explaining that Davidson was in attendance and that his outbursts were involuntary tics associated with Tourette syndrome. Cumming apologized “if you were offended,” according to reports.
BAFTA acknowledged the “harm this has caused” and apologized for “offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many,” praising Jordan and Lindo for their “incredible dignity and professionalism.” The BBC also apologized for failing to edit the slur from its broadcast, which aired with a two-hour delay and from its iPlayer streaming service before the program was removed. A BBC spokesperson stated the language “arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional.”
Davidson himself released a statement expressing his distress over the incident. “I chose to exit the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing,” he said, adding that his outburst was “not a reflection of my personal beliefs.”
Tourettes Action, a UK-based charity, emphasized the involuntary nature of tics. “We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt, but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary,” said CEO Emma McNally. The organization explained that tics are not indicative of a person’s beliefs or character.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by sudden, repetitive movements or sounds. These tics can worsen with excitement or anxiety, and individuals often experience a build-up of tension before a tic occurs. Approximately 10-15% of people with Tourette syndrome experience coprolalia, a vocal tic involving involuntary swearing or socially unacceptable language.
Several audible shouts occurred during the earlier portion of the ceremony, though their content was initially unclear to reporters present. Following the incident involving Jordan and Lindo, the BBC faced criticism from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who described the failure to edit the slur as “a horrible mistake” and called for an explanation.
“I Swear,” the film inspired by Davidson’s life, won two BAFTAs, including best actor for Robert Aramayo, who portrays Davidson. Representatives for the film, Jordan, and Lindo have not yet issued public statements regarding the incident.
