The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has issued an apology following an incident that occurred during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, where a racial slur was shouted by an individual with Tourette’s Syndrome, John Davidson, as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. The ceremony, which took place on February 22, has sparked controversy and criticism, leading to the resignation of one BAFTA judge.
Jonte Richardson, a member of the BAFTA emerging talent judging panel, announced his resignation in a LinkedIn post, stating that he could not remain involved with the organisation after its “unforgivable” handling of the incident. His post highlighted that the event had not only caused harm to those present but also illustrated a larger issue of systemic racism within BAFTA.
Davidson, who has lived with Tourette’s Syndrome since childhood, shouted the racial slur while presenting the award for Best Visual Effects. The BBC broadcast of the event, which was delayed for two hours, included the offensive outburst and drew sharp criticism for failing to edit out the remark before airing. The BBC subsequently issued an apology, acknowledging that the moment had not been excluded from its catch-up service, BBC iPlayer, until the following day.
During the awards show, host Alan Cumming addressed the audience both before and after the incident, apologising for any distress caused. He stressed that the outburst was a result of Davidson’s condition. Despite Cumming’s reassurances, the incident has led to widespread condemnation, including a comment from actor Jamie Foxx, who labelled the moment as unacceptable.
In a statement released shortly after the ceremony, BAFTA expressed regret for the offensive language heard during the event, emphasising the trauma that such terminology invokes. The organisation acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for both Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who were on stage at the time, and thanked them for their professionalism amidst the chaos.
Simultaneously, Davidson offered his own reflections on the incident, appreciating the support from BAFTA and the production team. He noted that he had been introduced to the audience as someone who may produce involuntary noises due to his condition. Davidson described the applause that followed this introduction as heartening, allowing him to feel welcomed in an otherwise challenging environment.
The film “I Swear,” which Davidson represented at the BAFTA ceremony, is a depiction of his life experiences with Tourette’s. He expressed his commitment to advocating for the Tourette’s community and emphasising the importance of empathy and understanding towards those living with similar conditions. Davidson acknowledged the distress his tics may have caused and made clear his remorse should anyone interpret his involuntary actions as intentional.
Following the incident, Delroy Lindo mentioned in a post-award afterparty that while he and Jordan were caught off guard, they handled the situation as best as they could in the moment. Lindo expressed disappointment, however, that there was no subsequent communication from BAFTA regarding the occurrence.
As BAFTA grapples with the ramifications of the event, the organisation has pledged to learn from the incident and focus on fostering an inclusive environment. The fallout continues to raise questions about how organisations address and manage sensitive issues related to race and disability in public settings.