The BBC issued an apology on Sunday after a participant with Tourette syndrome shouted a racial slur during the live broadcast of the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). John Davidson, who has significant Tourette syndrome and inspired the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear,” was heard yelling the “N-word” while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. Additionally, Davidson’s outbursts included profanities like “fuck you” and “shut up.”
The apology came after the broadcaster’s failure to edit these inappropriate words from the pre-recorded show. Tourette syndrome is a disorder that leads to involuntary movements and vocalizations, which vary by individual.
A spokesperson for the BBC remarked, “During the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, some viewers may have heard strongly offensive language. This was due to an involuntary verbal tic associated with Tourette syndrome and was unintentional. We regret this wasn’t addressed in the broadcast, and it will be removed in the BBC iPlayer version.” Davidson chose to leave the venue after facing racial slurs, and it was noted that a stage manager had warned the audience about his potential unintentional noises throughout the event.
Hosted at London’s Royal Festival Hall, the BAFTA awards also featured a surprise appearance by the Prince and Princess of Wales, marking their first attendance together since 2023. Alan Cumming, the host, spoke about the incident during the show, acknowledging the offensive language and explaining its connection to Tourette syndrome as part of the film’s narrative. He thanked the audience for maintaining respect and understanding during the situation.
In a subsequent statement, Cumming reiterated, “Tourette syndrome is a disorder, and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary. I apologize if anyone was offended.” Despite these attempts to clarify, some criticized how the situation was managed. Jemele Hill, a former ESPN anchor, expressed that she felt more attention should have been directed toward the individual who shouted the slur, rather than the actors affected. Hannah Beecher, a production designer, also expressed disappointment over Cumming’s comments, describing his apology as insufficient.
