Michael B Jordan among stars stunned as racial slur is shouted at BAFTAs
michael b jordan was among the stars who were visibly startled when a guest with Tourette syndrome repeatedly shouted a racial slur during the BAFTA ceremony on Sunday. The outburst, by John Davidson while Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented an award, prompted stage announcements, apologies and sharp criticism from peers.
What happened onstage
John Davidson, the Tourette syndrome activist whose life inspired the film I Swear, was heard several times shouting during the ceremony, including using the N-word while Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were onstage presenting the evening’s first prize and the award for best visual effects. Host Alan Cumming made two announcements during the ceremony explaining the situation, saying: "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. We apologise if you are offended tonight. " Davidson said he was "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning" and said he "chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing. " Davidson appeared to remove himself from the theatre.
Statements and apologies
A spokesperson apologised with a statement that said: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta film awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard. " Organisers also apologised for "offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many, " and thanked Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan for "their incredible dignity and professionalism. " Producers said they "didn’t hear" the N-word slur because they were "working in a truck".
Reactions from peers and guests
Jamie Foxx reacted on social media, commenting "Unacceptable" and "Nah he meant that shit. " Journalist Jemele Hill wrote: "Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don’t feel bad. " Actor Wendell Pierce said: "It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throatted [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 criticised what she called the "throwaway" apology and said on social media: "I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throwaway apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show. " Beachler also wrote that the Davidson situation "is almost impossible…it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show. " At an after-party, Delroy Lindo said he and Jordan "did what we had to do" while presenting but wished "someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward. " Lindo was later seen in good spirits, chatting with costar Wunmi Mosaku, who won the BAFTA for best supporting actress. Michael B Jordan attended an after-party briefly and was listed as one of that event’s hosts.
Medical context and statistics
Advocates urged understanding of Tourette syndrome. Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action, said: "We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but at the same time, 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. " Material in the public record describes Tourette syndrome as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by sudden, involuntary movements or sounds called tics that tend to wax and wane and can worsen with excitement or anxiety; people trying to suppress them often report a buildup of tension before a tic erupts. One organisation’s guidance says about 10-15% of people with the syndrome experience coprolalia — involuntary swearing, slurs or other socially unacceptable words or phrases. Another summary states that some 10-20% of people with the condition are affected by loud, involuntary swearing known as coprolalia.
Broadcast, edits and aftermath
The epithet was audible when the ceremony was broadcast about two hours after the live event. The broadcaster apologised for not editing it out before the delayed broadcast; the offensive word remained on the streaming service on Monday morning before the programme was later removed. Critics have questioned the value of a two-hour delay and urged that the BAFTAs consider live transmission.
Awards night context and winners
Despite the controversy, the ceremony included notable wins: Robert Aramayo, star of I Swear, won the rising-star award and also won the lead-actor prize over front-runners Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. Ryan Coogler won best original screenplay and said: "I come from a community that loves me and spoke a lot of power into me. They made me believe that I could do this. That I could be a writer. " The ceremony also saw the omission from the broadcast of a moment when outstanding-British-debut winner Akinola Davies Jr. said "free Palestine" at the end of his speech.
Following the ceremony, BAFTA hosted a dinner for nominees and guests where attendees continued to discuss the incident; organisers and participants have faced criticism for how the response was handled.
Closing: The episode has left organisers defending edits and apologies, prompted strong reactions from colleagues including Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce, and renewed debate about how live events and delayed broadcasts should handle involuntary speech linked to medical conditions.
