• A guest with Tourette's syndrome shouted a racial slur during the BAFTAs, prompting widespread outcry.
• The BBC and BAFTA issued apologies, acknowledging the incident's impact on Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
• The offensive language was not edited out before the broadcast, raising questions about media responsibility.
• Co-stars of the film "Sinners," Jordan and Lindo, emphasized the need for understanding Tourette syndrome.
• Tuorettes Action and other advocacy groups called for educational efforts following the controversy.

The 2026 BAFTA Awards experienced significant controversy when John Davidson, a guest with Tourette syndrome, involuntarily shouted a racial slur while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage. The incident occurred during a live broadcast of the awards, leading to widespread outcry from attendees and viewers alike. A statement from the BBC highlighted that the slur was not intentional, attributing it to Davidson's involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette's syndrome, for which they apologized on Monday morning, noting, "We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast" according to BBC and CBS News.

The racial slur was audible to viewers during the delayed BBC broadcast, which began two hours after the live event at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Both BAFTA and the BBC issued apologies, emphasizing understanding of Tourette syndrome and the involuntary nature of Davidson’s tics. BAFTA stated they would learn from the incident and maintain compassion and empathy at future events. "We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all," the organization said, highlighting the need for more thoughtful practices in their events, as reported by Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Main characters from the film "Sinners," including Jordan and Lindo, expressed that while the incident caused distress, they understood the nature of Davidson's condition. Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience after the outburst, underscoring that "the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary," as stated by both NPR and South China Morning Post.

Davidson later expressed his regret, noting that he was "deeply mortified" if anyone interpreted his involuntary tics as intentional insults. He emphasized, "What I said was not a reflection of my personal beliefs," showing awareness of the impact his condition has on others, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

In the aftermath, advocates from Tourettes Action called for better public understanding of Tourette syndrome, emphasizing that the tics are a neurological condition and do not reflect an individual’s values or character. "We hope that those commenting will take the time to watch the film, learn about Tourette’s, and understand the experiences behind moments like these," they stated, reinforcing the need for education and compassion, as referenced by South China Morning Post and NPR.