Michael B Jordan startled as backlash mounts to Bafta N-word controversy

michael b jordan was visibly startled when a guest at the Bafta film awards shouted a racial slur while he and Delroy Lindo were presenting. The outburst by Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson has prompted apologies, condemnations and renewed debate over how the incident was handled.

What happened during the ceremony

On Sunday night, John Davidson, the campaigner whose life inspired the film I Swear, was heard several times shouting during the ceremony, including using the N-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage to present the award for best visual effects. Host Alan Cumming had informed the audience earlier that Davidson has Tourette syndrome. After the slur was audible during the presentation, Cumming addressed the auditorium twice about the tics and apologised to the audience.

Alan Cumming’s announcements

From the stage, Alan Cumming first explained the context, saying: “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 for helping create a respectful space for everyone. ” He later added: “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. ”

Michael B Jordan reaction and aftermath

michael b jordan was visibly startled when John Davidson yelled from the auditorium and audience members gasped. Davidson left the auditorium early into the ceremony, saying he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning. ” He added that he had “spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. ”

Public and industry responses

Jamie Foxx reacted on social media beneath a post about the incident, writing “Unacceptable” and “Nah he meant that shit. ” Journalist Jemele Hill said: “Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don’t feel bad. ” Wendell Pierce wrote: “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, posting: “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 incident “happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show. ”

Organisers, broadcaster and campaign groups respond

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts apologised for “offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many, ” and thanked Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo “for their incredible dignity and professionalism. ” A spokesperson apologised, saying: “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. ” A later statement from a spokesperson repeated: “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 apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed. ” producers said they “didn’t hear” the N-word slur as they were “working in a truck. ”

Tourette context and expert comments

Tourettes Action called for understanding and 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. ” The Tourette Association of America was cited on coprolalia statistics for the condition; one figure in coverage put the proportion affected at about 10–15%, while another noted 10–20% of people with Tourette’s may be affected by loud, involuntary swearing. Coverage also described Tourette syndrome as a motor or neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by muscular and vocal tics that can wax and wane, sometimes worsening with excitement or anxiety, and that people trying to suppress tics often report a buildup of tension before a tic erupts.

After-parties and awards fallout

Following the ceremony there were several after-parties and events where the incident was discussed. At a Warner Bros. after-party, Delroy Lindo said he and Michael B Jordan “did what we had to do” while presenting but wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward. ” Wunmi Mosaku, who won the BAFTA for best supporting actress, was seen speaking with Lindo. Michael B Jordan attended an after-party thrown by British GQ and Vogue briefly and was listed as one of the event’s hosts. BAFTA later hosted a dinner for nominees and guests where the incident was the subject of conversation. Despite the controversy, Robert Aramayo, star of I Swear, won the rising-star award and the lead-actor prize over 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 was broadcast on a tape delay and the epithet could be heard when the broadcaster aired the ceremony about two hours after the live event; the broadcast was later removed from an online streaming service.

Jamie Foxx, Wendell Pierce, campaign groups, production crew members and award attendees all expressed dismay or called for clearer handling of the episode as organisers, the broadcaster and advocates sought to balance apology, explanation and support for people with Tourette syndrome.