US EditionBBC and host apologize after racial slur shouted during BAFTA awards by guest with Tourette’s
John Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner, made involuntary outbursts including a racial slur during the BAFTA ceremony; host Alan Cumming and BBC apologized for the offensive language.
- On Sunday, John Davidson, Tourette's campaigner and inspiration for I Swear, was audible on BBC One shouting a racial slur as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented at the BAFTA Film Awards.
- Campaigners and medical explanations point to involuntary verbal tics from Tourette's syndrome, while organisers had warned the audience that involuntary noises or movements might occur.
- Technical checks show the tics were picked up by venue microphones, the two-hour delayed broadcast carried them, and the clip briefly remained on BBC iPlayer before removal.
- Critics demanded explanations and called for bleeping pre-recorded shows after Ed Palmer, vice chairman of Tourettes Action, suggested it while Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, called the BBC `a horrible mistake`.
- Beyond the ceremony, the incident highlighted the film I Swear and experts noted coprolalia affects between 10% to 30% of people with Tourette's, prompting calls for public education.
135 Articles
135 Articles
Black America Web
Man With Tourette’s Sydrome Shouted N-Word, Vulgarities At 2026 BAFTA Awards
The 2026 BAFTA Awards have concluded, but the event featured several moments where a Tourette’s Syndrome activist’s outbursts were overheard. John Davidson, the subject of a nominated biography, I Swear, was in attendance at the BAFTA Awards and shouted out the N-word, among other words some might have found offensive. Davidson, a Scottish activist who has been featured in past documentaries, was in attendance at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Fes…
A racist incident occurred at the British BAFTA film awards ceremony on Sunday evening, as a racist word beginning with the letter N was suddenly heard during the ceremony. The British BBC, which broadcast the awards, has already apologized for the incident and explained the background to the incident.
Tourette's Activist Screamed The N-Word At Michael B. Jordan And Delroy Lindo While They Were Presenting At The BAFTAs
michael b jordan delory lindo An unfortunate situation unfolded at the BAFTA Awards across the pond on Sunday night as Tourette’s activist John Davidson blurted out a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting. The slur could be heard by both the entire crowd and the audience at home. John Davidson — who was diagnosed with the syndrome at 25 years old — was present at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday night as his life served …
The BBC Apologizes for Racial Slur Outburst During BAFTAs, but Initially Let It Air Unedited on TV and Streaming
Despite instant fervor and publicity around the incident, the broadcaster neglected to cut the moment before it went to air, even with a two-hour tape delay.
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