BBC Apologizes for Racial Slur Heard During BAFTAs 2026 Broadcast

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BBC is addressing an uncomfortable moment at the 2026 BAFTAs.

I was absolutely shocked during the awards ceremony on February 22nd. John Davidson, the incredibly brave man whose life with Tourette’s inspired the movie I Swear, unexpectedly shouted a racial slur twice while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects. It was a really difficult moment to witness. While the UK broadcast actually showed it, the network later said they regretted that it happened.

The BBC has acknowledged that some viewers may have heard inappropriate language during the Bafta Film Awards. A spokesperson explained in a statement on February 23rd that this was due to involuntary tics related to Tourette syndrome and was not intentional.

The statement said they were sorry the mistake wasn’t caught before the program aired and that it would be fixed on BBC iPlayer.

During the BAFTA presentation for Avatar: Fire and Ash, Davidson, who sometimes experiences involuntary vocal tics as reported by the Mayo Clinic, unexpectedly shouted a racial slur while Jordan and Lindo were speaking. Both actors appeared shocked by the outburst before continuing with their prepared remarks.

Lindo later told Vanity Fair in an interview on February 23rd that he and his Sinners co-star, Jordan, “did what they had to do.”

He added that he wished “someone from BAFTAs spoke to us afterwards.”

Okay, so Pete Davidson totally went off at the BAFTAs, and honestly, I was obsessed with trying to find out what happened! Everyone was talking about it, saying he kept interrupting things even after the initial drama with Lindo and Jordan. But the best part? Alan Cumming, the host, actually addressed it right away! I was glued to my screen, waiting for him to say something, anything! It was wild.

The host of Traitors acknowledged that some harsh language was used during the show. They explained that it was similar to the language featured in the film I Swear, which portrays the experience of living with Tourette’s syndrome.

Tourette’s syndrome is a condition that causes involuntary tics, meaning people with the condition can’t control those movements or sounds. We apologize if anything you heard was upsetting.

For a look at more stars in attendance at the 2026 BAFTAs, read on…

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2026-02-23 20:47