The British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the BBC have issued apologies after a racial slur was inadvertently aired during the 2026 BAFTA film awards ceremony, in an incident involving a Tourette syndrome campaigner sitting in the audience.
The offensive term was overheard as the actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, both of whom are Black, were announcing the winner for best visual effects. Earlier in the evening, the host Alan Cumming had introduced John Davidson, a Scottish advocate for Tourette syndrome, who was present in the audience. Davidson is the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, which tells his story.
The British Academy apologised for the offensive language that evokes immeasurable trauma for many, while commending Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo for their incredible dignity and professionalism in continuing with the presentation. The BBC, which broadcast the ceremony, also apologised for the broadcast of the remark.
Davidson said he was deeply mortified if anyone interpreted his involuntary tics as intentional or meaningful, emphasising that the remark did not reflect his personal beliefs. The charity Tourettes Action urged the public to develop a greater understanding of the condition. Its chief executive said the organisation deeply understood that such words could cause hurt, but that it was vital the public understood a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary, and they are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions or character.
Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by sudden, involuntary movements or sounds called tics, which tend to wax and wane but can worsen with excitement or anxiety, according to the US National Institutes of Health. They may appear purposeful but are not, and people who try to suppress them often report a build-up of tension before a tic erupts.
The incident sparked a wider debate about the inclusion of people with Tourette syndrome in live public events. Disability advocates argued that the apologies, while necessary given the hurt caused, should not come at the cost of excluding people with tic disorders from public life. They pointed out that Davidson had been invited precisely because his story had been celebrated by the film industry, and that the involuntary nature of his condition was well documented.
Others questioned the BBC's broadcast protocols, asking why a delay system had not caught the remark before transmission. Live broadcasts of major ceremonies typically operate with a short delay to allow producers to cut away from unexpected incidents, and the failure to do so on this occasion raised questions about whether the corporation had adequately planned for the presence of a guest known to experience vocal tics.
Davidson has spent years campaigning for awareness of Tourette syndrome, and supporters said the saddest aspect of the episode was that a night meant to honour his story had caused him public distress. The charity said it hoped the incident would ultimately lead to greater public understanding rather than stigma.