The BBC and Bafta have issued fresh apologies after a racial slur was broadcast live during the Bafta film awards. The word was uttered involuntarily by John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner, as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were on stage presenting an award. The broadcast remained on BBC iPlayer overnight before being taken down, prompting a backlash.
BBC producers overseeing the ceremony said they did not hear the slur because they were working in a truck. A spokesman said the corporation was 'sorry that words spoken involuntarily during the ceremony' were not edited out. The BBC later confirmed the coverage would be re-edited and the offensive language removed from iPlayer.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the failure to bleep the word a 'horrible mistake', noting that other inappropriate language, including shouts of 'Free Palestine', had been cut. Bafta also issued a statement, apologising for 'putting our guests in a very difficult situation' and acknowledging the 'incomparable trauma and pain' caused by the word.
The incident drew criticism from actors Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce, with Pierce saying the insult to Lindo and Jordan 'takes priority'. Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler also said she had been subjected to a racial slur and criticised Bafta's response. Lindo and Jordan have not officially commented, but Lindo told Vanity Fair they 'did what we had to do' by remaining calm, while wishing Bafta had spoken to them afterwards.
Davidson attended the ceremony as his film I Swear, inspired by his life with Tourette syndrome, won awards including best actor for Robert Aramayo. During the show, host Alan Cumming explained that tics are involuntary and apologised in advance. Tourettes Action also released a statement addressing negative comments following the incident.
