The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has issued a formal apology following a deeply uncomfortable moment during Sunday night’s BAFTA Film Awards, when an involuntary outburst from guest John Davidson, a campaigner living with Tourette’s syndrome, included a racial slur shouted while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.

The incident occurred as the actors presented the award for Best Visual Effects to the film Avatar: Fire and Ash. Davidson, whose verbal tics are a symptom of Tourette’s syndrome, was seated in the auditorium at the time. Although attendees had reportedly been informed ahead of the ceremony that strong language could occur due to his condition, the specific word shouted, one carrying profound historical trauma and pain, quickly cast a shadow over what had been a celebratory atmosphere.

In a statement released Monday, BAFTA said it takes “full responsibility” for the situation and acknowledged the harm caused. “We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all,” the Academy said. It also issued a direct apology to Jordan and Lindo, thanking them for their “incredible dignity and professionalism” in handling the moment.

A Night Meant for Celebration

BAFTA have released one of the strongest and most thoughtful apologies imaginable. But it won’t be enough. Because the outraged mob is completely immune to reason. Just one of the many reasons you should never apologise to them. pic.twitter.com/EBs0HXEPpx

— Stephen Knight 🎙️ (@GSpellchecker) February 23, 2026

John Davidson, an executive producer of the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, has long advocated for greater public understanding of Tourette’s syndrome. According to BAFTA, audience members were informed both before and during the ceremony that Davidson was in attendance and that involuntary verbal tics, including potentially strong language, might occur.

Tourette’s syndrome can cause sudden, uncontrollable verbal or physical tics that are not reflective of a person’s beliefs or intent. BAFTA reiterated that Davidson’s outburst was involuntary and not intentional. Nevertheless, the impact of the word used was immediate and deeply uncomfortable, particularly given its history and the fact that two Black actors were on stage at the time.

Host Alan Cumming addressed the situation during the ceremony, thanking the audience for their understanding while offering a general apology to anyone offended. However, some viewers later criticized the response as insufficient. Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler, for example, described the tone of the apology on X as “throwaway.”

BBC Under Fire

The 2026 BAFTA Awards faced backlash after John Davidson, a guest with Tourette’s syndrome, shouted the N-word live on stage. BAFTA and the BBC apologised to Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo and viewers.

Read more: https://t.co/RiCqL9ajLx

[BAFTA | Racial slur incident | BBC… pic.twitter.com/lATAgkEZxa

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) February 24, 2026

The controversy intensified when the BBC included the slur in its tape-delayed broadcast of the ceremony. The broadcaster later apologized and removed the program from its BBC iPlayer platform, acknowledging the distress caused by airing the moment unedited.

Meanwhile, Davidson chose to leave the auditorium midway through the ceremony, opting to watch the remainder of the event from a separate screen. BAFTA later thanked him publicly for what it described as his “dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.”

“We Will Learn From This”

In its full statement, BAFTA emphasized its commitment to inclusion while acknowledging that inclusion must be handled with care and foresight. “We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation, and we apologise to all. We will learn from this.” The organization reiterated that Tourette’s-related tics are involuntary and do not reflect personal beliefs. At the same time, it acknowledged that the word spoken carries “incomparable trauma and pain for so many.”

In the aftermath, the moment has sparked broader conversations online about live-event protocols, safeguarding marginalized communities in shared spaces, and the delicate balance between inclusion and preparedness. Many observers have noted that while Davidson’s condition is outside his control, institutions hosting large public events must anticipate and mitigate potential harm, especially in moments broadcast to global audiences.

Ultimately, the incident underscores how quickly celebration can give way to discomfort, and how responsibility often rests with the institutions managing the room.

For Jordan and Lindo, both widely respected figures in the industry, the night continued with composure. For BAFTA, however, this year’s ceremony may ultimately be remembered as much for the apology that followed as for the awards themselves.

Featured image: Getty Images

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