Recommendations of the Editorial team
The BBC has apologized for failing to censor a racist expression shouted by a viewer with Tourette’s syndrome while Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo attended BAFTA Film Awards 2026 presented an award.
The outburst came from John Davidson, an activist and longtime Tourette syndrome educator whose life story was adapted into the BAFTA-nominated biopic I Swear. Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he could be heard swearing throughout the show.
But what got the most attention was the moment he shouted the N-word while Jordan and Lindo — both black — presented the award for Best Visual Special Effects.
Two hour delay with no effect
Although the BAFTAs are known to air on a two-hour delay, allowing plenty of time for editing, Davidson’s exclamations could still be heard when the show aired on BBC One later on Sunday evening. Even when it was published in the BBC iPlayer media library, the incident was initially included until it was finally removed on Monday morning.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This was caused by involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette’s syndrome and, as explained during the ceremony, was unintentional. We apologize that this was not edited out before broadcast. It will now be removed from the BBC iPlayer version.”
More censored moments
While Davidson’s exclamations were not edited out, several media outlets reported what other content the BBC muted. These included: a joke from BAFTAs presenter Alan Cumming, who compared the plot of “Zootopia 2” — “lies, corrupt leaders, poisoning and persecuting a population” — to the current political climate in the US; Paul Thomas Anderson, who told people who think movies are no longer good to “fuck off”; and director Akinola Davies Jr., who said “Free Palestine” at the acceptance of his debut film “My Father’s Shadow.”
Cumming himself addressed the topic twice during the show. The first time around, he referred to the “strong language in the background” and added: “This may be part of how Tourette’s syndrome manifests itself in some people, as the film depicts that experience. Thank you for your understanding and for creating a respectful space for everyone.”
More reactions during the show
The second time, Cumming said: “The tics you heard tonight are involuntary, meaning the person with Tourette syndrome has no control over their speech. We apologize if you feel offended.”
Some expressed harsh criticism of Davidson, including Jamie Foxx, who wrote in an Instagram comment: “Nah he meant that shit.” But much of the criticism was directed at the BAFTAs and the BBC for their handling of the situation, which was perceived by many as damaging to both the black community and people with Tourette’s syndrome.
Clear criticism from the industry
Actor Wendell Pierce wrote: “It is outrageous that the initial response was not a full and unreserved apology to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. The insult to them takes precedence. The justification for the racist language does not matter.”
The Oscar-winning production designer for “Sinners”, Hannah Beachler, also commented on what she saw as an “almost impossible” situation on X. Beachler, who was in the room, said she heard Davidson say the N-word three times, including once in her direction and again at another black woman.
Statement by Hannah Beachler
“I deeply understand and know why this is an impossible situation,” Beachler wrote. “I know we have to deal with this with dignity and move on. But what made the situation worse was the casual apology ‘if you feel offended’ at the end of the show. Of course we were offended… but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I’m not steel, this hasn’t bounced off me, but I exist above it. It can’t take away who I am as an artist.”
