The BBC has issued a fresh apology after a racial slur uttered involuntarily by a Tourette syndrome campaigner was broadcast live during the Bafta film awards. Producers covering the ceremony say they did not hear the offensive word, which was spoken as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan stood on stage presenting an award, and it remained on iPlayer for several hours before being removed.
The word was shouted by John Davidson, whose film I Swear was nominated in several categories. The BBC had already cut other inappropriate outbursts, but missed this one. In a statement, the corporation said the language arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and apologised that it was not edited out before broadcast.
Bafta also apologised, acknowledging the “very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many”. It said efforts had been made to make those in attendance aware of potential tics, and that it took “full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation”.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the BBC’s handling, telling ITV’s Good Morning Britain that it was a “horrible mistake”. She noted that two other phrases, including “Free Palestine” shouts, had been bleeped. Actors Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce condemned the incident, with Pierce saying the insult to Lindo and Jordan should have prompted an immediate full apology. Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler said she had also been subjected to a slur and criticised Bafta’s response.
Neither Lindo nor Jordan has officially commented, but Vanity Fair reported that Lindo said he and Jordan “did what we had to do” by remaining calm, though he wished someone from Bafta had spoken to them afterwards. The Guardian said it had approached their representatives for comment.
