The BBC has issued an apology after a racial slur was heard during the broadcast of the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night.
The incident occurred early in the ceremony as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the first award of the evening. A racial slur could be heard shouted from the audience. The outburst came from John Davidson, whose life with Tourette’s syndrome inspired the nominated biopic I Swear.
Davidson, 54, has Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition that can involve involuntary verbal tics and outbursts, including swearing. Earlier in the evening, he was also heard shouting phrases such as “Shut the F*** up! Boring!” during BAFTA chair Sarah Putt’s speech. According to reports, Davidson later chose to leave the ceremony.
In a statement to NBC News, a BBC spokesperson 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 apologize for any offense caused by the language heard.”
BAFTAs host Alan Cumming addressed the situation during the ceremony, explaining the nature of Tourette’s syndrome to the audience. “You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight,” he said. “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’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you were offended.”
Before the ceremony began, a floor manager reportedly informed the audience that Davidson would be in attendance and that involuntary noises or movements could occur during the broadcast.
The ceremony was pre-recorded by the BBC. While the outburst was audible to viewers, the exact wording was not clearly discernible in the broadcast. Cumming’s initial remarks were not included in the original airing, but a later clarification was broadcast explaining that the language was the result of involuntary tics.
I Swear, which was nominated at this year’s awards, chronicles Davidson’s journey after being diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at age 25.
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