BAFTA apologizes to Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo for racial slur - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Alexandra Del Rosario

February 23, 2026

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BAFTA has issued a formal apology following an incident at its annual awards ceremony where an audience member with Tourette syndrome shouted a racial slur during Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo’s presentation. The overseeing body acknowledged full responsibility for creating a difficult situation for its guests and apologized to all those impacted, including the presenters and the individual affected by the outburst. The incident occurred during the broadcast of the awards show, which aired with a two-hour delay on BBC. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the visual effects category when an off-screen audience member shouted the N-word. The co-stars paused before continuing their presentation, later addressed by host Alan Cumming, who explained that the individual had Tourette syndrome and could not control their outburst. BAFTA echoed this explanation in its statement, emphasizing that inclusion remains a core value and承诺 to learn from the experience. The individual who shouted the slur was John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner for Tourette syndrome whose story is featured in the film “I Swear.” Davidson, an executive producer of the nominated film, left his seat during the ceremony due to the commotion but continued watching remotely. He clarified that his involuntary tics do not reflect his beliefs and expressed deep mortification if his outbursts were perceived as intentional. The BBC also faced criticism for initially failing to edit out the slur before broadcasting the ceremony, despite managing to remove other controversial statements during editing. BAFTA acknowledged the gravity of the situation and praised Jordan and Lindo for their dignity and professionalism in handling the incident. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, recognizing the importance of education and awareness in preventing such occurrences in the future. This incident has sparked broader conversations about Tourette syndrome awareness and the challenges faced by individuals with the condition, as well as the need for sensitivity in high-profile events. It underscores the importance of

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/23/2026