John Davidson at BAFTAs: Broadcaster apologises after N-word slur as backlash mounts
The broadcaster has apologised after a racial slur shouted by John Davidson, a Tourette's campaigner whose life inspired the film I Swear, was left unedited during the BAFTA Film Awards. The unedited moment, audible while Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the ceremony's first prize, has prompted industry criticism, public backlash and renewed debate about Tourette's and live television editing.
John Davidson's tics and the slur
John Davidson, a campaigner from Galashiels in Scotland who was made an MBE in 2019, was heard shouting several times before and during the awards show. At one point during the presentation of the first prize, Davidson uttered the N-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. His vocalisations of strong language were described as involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome; the tics were audible in the broadcast though many viewers would have struggled to make out the exact word.
What happened in the ceremony
Guests had been notified before the ceremony that they might occasionally hear Davidson's tics; a floor manager welcomed him and noted his condition. The event took place at London's Royal Festival Hall, and Davidson left the auditorium around 25 minutes into the proceedings of his own accord. Throughout the early part of the show he was repeatedly heard using exclamations such as "Boring!" and other profanities, including shouting at one point during introductory remarks made by the BAFTA chair. During the segment in which the best visual effects award was presented to Avatar: Fire and Ash, the profane outburst that included the N-word prompted audible gasps in the room.
Broadcaster apology and on-demand removal
The broadcaster apologised for not editing the offensive word out prior to broadcast, and subsequently removed the ceremony from its on-demand service after the unedited version remained available the following morning. Producers for the broadcast said they had not heard the slur while working in an outside production truck. The broadcaster declined to offer further comment on why the instance was not initially edited or bleeped out. In a public statement the broadcaster acknowledged that some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language and explained that this arose from involuntary tics associated with Tourette syndrome.
Reactions from actors and the film community
The incident has provoked sharp reactions. Jamie Foxx described the outburst as unacceptable, and Wendell Pierce criticised the lack of a full immediate apology to the presenters, saying the insult to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan should take priority regardless of the explanation. Sinners' production designer Hannah Beachler said she had a racial slur directed at her during the evening and condemned what she called a "throwaway" apology. Delroy Lindo said he and Michael B Jordan "did what we had to do" while presenting, and added that he wished someone from BAFTA had spoken to them afterward.
BAFTA response and duty of care
BAFTA acknowledged the harm caused, said it would address what happened and apologised to all. The organisation emphasised that it took the duty of care to guests seriously and stated it had started from a position of inclusion, having taken measures to inform attendees of Davidson's presence and that strong language might be heard. BAFTA noted that early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room.
Public debate and medical context
The incident has reopened debate about Tourette syndrome and public tolerance. Tourette's is characterised by sudden, involuntary and repetitive movements or sounds known as tics. Estimates referenced during the aftermath vary: one charity estimate placed the share of people with the condition who produce socially unacceptable words such as swearing between 10% and 30%, while other coverage referred to a 10–20% figure for loud, involuntary swearing known as coprolalia. BAFTAs host Alan Cumming interrupted his duties several times to explain that Tourette's is a disability and that the tics are involuntary, and he offered an apology for any offence caused while asking for understanding from the audience.
Aftershocks and what happens next
The removal of the unedited broadcast from the on-demand platform and the broadcaster's apology have not ended the conversation. The episode has prompted differing views within the film community: some attendees and commentators stressed that Tourette's is often misunderstood, while others argued the language could be emotionally triggering for presenters and viewers. Questions have been raised about editing practices for delayed broadcasts, the adequacy of on-site briefings, and how organisers balance inclusion with audience protection. These discussions are likely to continue as the industry assesses procedural and ethical responses to the incident.
