The BBC has issued multiple formal apologies after a racial slur was broadcast during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards which aired on BBC One on February 22. The incident occurred when Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson whose life inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear involuntarily shouted the N-word as Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for Best Special Visual Effects. Davidson who also shouted other profanities throughout the ceremony later expressed deep regret clarifying that the outburst was a result of his condition and did not reflect his beliefs.
The slur was broadcast without any edits because the ceremony had been pre-recorded with a two-hour broadcast delay which was designed to enable editorial control. The BBC’s initial apology acknowledged the “strong and offensive language” which originated as involuntary tics that he did not mean to say. The broadcaster subsequently removed the ceremony from iPlayer promising to re-edit the footage and bleep or remove the offensive language before making it available again.
BBC producers reportedly explained that they “didn’t hear” the slur during the live edit because of the difficult conditions inside the broadcast truck. However this explanation drew criticism as other moments including a “Free Palestine” comment and a joke about Donald Trump were successfully edited out before broadcast. The incident has sparked debate over the broadcaster’s editorial priorities and processes with critics questioning how such a significant oversight could occur despite the safeguards in place.
