Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo Confront Broadcast Slur as BAFTA and BBC Issue Apologies

At the BAFTA film awards a Tourette syndrome campaigner shouted a racial slur while michael b jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage presenting the award for best visual effects, an outburst that forced immediate onstage explanations, prompted formal apologies from BAFTA and the, and sparked public backlash from fellow actors and industry figures.

John Davidson’s outbursts and immediate apologies

John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner with Tourette syndrome and the real-life inspiration for the film I Swear, was heard making several involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony, including the use of the N-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the evening’s first prize. Host Alan Cumming made two announcements during the broadcast explaining that "Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. " Cumming added: "We apologise if you are offended tonight. " Davidson later said he was "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning" and that he "chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing. "

BAFTA and apologies and broadcast actions

BAFTA apologized for "offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many, " and thanked Michael and Delroy "for their incredible dignity and professionalism. " The also issued an 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 it was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused. " The slur remained audible on the broadcaster’s tape-delayed television transmission, which aired about two hours after the live event; the program was later removed from the ’s streaming platform.

Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo interrupted during visual effects presentation

Guests in the Royal Festival Hall reacted audibly when the slur was uttered and both presenters were visibly affected. At an after-party, Delroy Lindo said he and michael b jordan "did what we had to do" while presenting but wished BAFTA had spoken to them afterward. The incident dominated conversations at a later BAFTA dinner for nominees and guests.

Celebrity criticism and industry reactions

Actors and commentators publicly condemned the incident. Jamie Foxx commented on social media with the words "Unacceptable" and "Nah he meant that shit. " Wendell Pierce said: "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. " Journalist Jemele Hill wrote that "Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don't feel bad. " Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler said she received a racial slur directed at her that night, called the on-air apology "throwaway, " and later wrote that the Davidson situation "happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show. "

Medical context, charity responses and producer remarks

Medical and charity statements included reminders that tics are involuntary. Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action, urged public understanding, saying it is "vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions, or character. " Coverage in the material notes that Tourette syndrome is characterized by sudden, involuntary movements or sounds called tics; one health summary referenced indicates that people trying to suppress tics often report a buildup of tension before an eruption. Estimates of how common involuntary swearing, or coprolalia, is among people with Tourette’s vary in the record: one figure given is 10–20% and another is 10–15%. Separately, producers said they "didn't hear" the slur because they were "working in a truck" during the live event.

What makes this notable is how the intersecting issues of disability, race and live broadcast control collided: involuntary medical symptoms produced a word with profound social harm, which in turn triggered institutional apologies, removal of the program from streaming and sharp public criticism. The timing matters because the slur was captured in the tape-delayed broadcast and therefore reached a national television audience despite preparatory notices to the live audience about Davidson's condition.

Aftermath at parties and awards outcomes

Despite the disturbance, some normal post-ceremony activity continued. Delroy Lindo was seen chatting with Sinners co-star Wunmi Mosaku at an after-party where Mosaku won the BAFTA for best supporting actress. Michael B Jordan attended another after-party briefly as a listed host. The ceremony also produced award surprises: Robert Aramayo won the rising-star prize and the lead-actor award over Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ryan Coogler won best original screenplay, offering a speech about community and support.

The incident and the institutions' responses remain the focus of discussions across the industry, with calls for clearer procedures when medical conditions present risks of offensive or harmful language during televised events.