BBC apologises again after John Davidson outbursts at BAFTAs as iPlayer version pulled for re-edit

The has apologised for airing strong and offensive language from john davidson during the BAFTA film awards and has taken the delayed broadcast down from its iPlayer service for a re-edit. The move follows criticism from actors and guests after the N-word and other expletives were heard in the two-hour delayed One transmission shown on Sunday.

What played out during the ceremony

John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome activist and the subject of the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, was heard several times shouting during the ceremony. The floor manager introduced him before the event as “John Davidson MBE from one of our nominated films ‘I Swear’. John has Tourette’s Syndrome so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony. ”

Multiple outbursts were heard in the first half: “shut the fuck up” during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt, “fuck you” as the directors of Boong accepted the BAFTA for best children’s and family film, and an instance in which the N-word was shouted while Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage presenting the evening’s first prize — presented for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash — the ceremony coverage shows.

John Davidson’s condition and the statements made at the event

Davidson is the inspiration for I Swear and was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at the age of 25; his symptoms, which began when he was 12, include tics and uncontrollable outbursts that can involve cursing. Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience — which included the Prince and Princess of Wales — and thanked people for their understanding before and after the outbursts.

Cumming told the audience: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone. ” Later he said: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight. ”

response and the iPlayer removal

The issued a fresh apology, saying 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. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on iPlayer. ” The broadcaster has taken the recorded show down from iPlayer and said it will re-edit the programme.

Reactions from guests and industry figures

Figures including Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce expressed dismay at the incident, with Foxx calling it “unacceptable. ” Pierce said: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throated [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur. ” Sinners’ production designer Hannah Beachler said on social media that she had also had a racial slur directed at her and criticised what she called BAFTA’s “throwaway” apology.

What BAFTA and others have said — and what remains unclear

The broadcaster noted the slur would be removed from the iPlayer version, but BAFTA has yet to explain why that particular outburst was not cut from the original delayed broadcast while other moments — including a comment by Akinola Davies Jr referencing the Israel-Gaza war and a joke by Cumming appearing to refer to Donald Trump — were deleted. BAFTA did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and organisers had earlier described Davidson as an invited guest and said he would not be asked to leave the ceremony.

The outbursts were not audible in the second half of the event when Davidson appeared to have left the room; reports indicate he left of his own accord and was not asked to leave by BAFTA.

I Swear, awards and the speech by Robert Aramayo

I Swear, directed, written and produced by Kirk Jones, follows Davidson at age 25 after his appearance in the documentary John’s Not Mad. The film stars Robert Aramayo as Davidson and was up for five BAFTAs, including best leading actor for Aramayo, best supporting actor for Peter Mullan, best original screenplay and casting (the latter of which it won). It was also competing for outstanding British film.

Aramayo won BAFTA’s EE Rising Star award on Sunday night. Collecting his award, Aramayo praised John Davidson as “the most remarkable man I ever met” and said Davidson is “so forthcoming with education” and “believes there should be still so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s. ” The final line of Aramayo’s remarks is unclear in the provided context.

The has said it will remove the offensive language from the iPlayer recording. BAFTA has been approached for comment and the re-edited programme is the next confirmed step noted by the broadcaster.