Getty ImagesThe racial slur was shouted while Michael B Jordan (left) and Delroy Lindo were presenting an awardThe BBC has apologised for not editing out a racial slur from its Bafta Film Awards coverage after a guest with Tourette's syndrome shouted out when two black actors were on stage. John Davidson, whose life story inspired the film I Swear, shouted the N-word as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of Sunday's ceremony.The moment was not edited out of the BBC One broadcast, which was shown on a two-hour delay, and remained on BBC iPlayer on Monday morning before being removed.A BBC spokesperson said: "We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."The shout was audible in the broadcast, although many viewers would have struggled to make out the word.Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch told Good Morning Britain the BBC had made "a horrible mistake" by not editing it out at the time, adding: "I think an apology is important, they need to explain why it wasn't bleeped out."In its statement, the BBC said: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards."This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional."Getty ImagesJohn Davidson's tics could be heard several times during the ceremonyTourette's is characterised by sudden, involuntary and repetitive movements or sounds, known as tics.Between 10% and 30% of people with the condition have tics that produce socially unacceptable words such as swearing, according to the Tourette's Action charity.Davidson, a Tourette's campaigner from Galashiels in Scotland, who was made an MBE in 2019, shouted loudly several times before and during the Bafta ceremony.Host Alan Cumming later told the audience: "You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette's syndrome."Tourette's syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended."Davidson left the ceremony part-way through the proceedings, reportedly of his own accord.Hannah Beachler, the production designer from the film Sinners, wrote on X: "The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show."I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through."But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of 'if you were offended' at the end of the show. Of course we were offended."Jordan's former co-star on The Wire, Wendell Pierce, posted: "It's infuriating that the first reaction wasn't complete and full throated apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan."The insult to them takes priority. It doesn't matter the reasoning for the racist slur."Oscar winner Jamie Foxx added in a comment posted on Instagram that the slur had been "unacceptable".Speaking to BBC News afterwards, Robert Aramayo, who won best actor for playing Davidson in I Swear, said: "They're tics, he [Davidson] is ticking, and we have to understand that the way we perceive Tourette's is a joint responsibility."It's not shouting obscenities, it's not being abusive, it's Tourette's and they're tics."So if it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourette's syndrome and what tics actually are, if our movie is a part of that conversation, then that's a really incredible thing."Pippa McClounan, communications manager of Tourette's Action, told BBC News: "What we've got to try and remember is, as much as these words do cause hurt and shock in people, it's really vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette's syndrome, that the tics are involuntary, and they are in no way reflection of what that person is thinking and their beliefs."It's not a what their intention is or what their character's like. It's involuntary. It's a neurological condition. It's so complex to try and understand why this happens."Such tics, called coprolalia, affect a minority of people with Tourette's, she said."This is what John lives with every day of his life. It's not just one occasion at an award ceremony. This is his life, and the backlash that he experiences throughout his life you see in the film."We hope that people who are reading and maybe commenting on it will also take the time to watch the film, learn about Tourette's, and understand the experiences behind those moments."I Swear follows Davidson's struggle growing up with Tourette's in 1980s Scotland.Davidson was awarded his MBE for his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and help families deal with it.As well as best actor, Aramayo, from Hull, also received the Baftas' Rising Star prize, and I Swear won best casting.Additional reporting by Ian Youngs.Hamnet's Jessie Buckley and I Swear's Robert Aramayo win big at the BaftasBaftas 2026: The winners list in fullBaftas red carpet: Wunmi Mosaku, Paul Mescal and Teyana Taylor among stars at film awardsI was the poster boy for Tourette's and swore in front of the QueenMeeting the Queen when you've got Tourette'sBafta AwardsFilmTourette's syndrome
Continue reading the complete article on the original source
