A racial slur shouted during the Bafta Film Awards, involving Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson and presenters Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, sparked immediate concern from Warner Bros and has since led to widespread criticism after it was broadcast by the BBC, the Press Association understands.
Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson could be heard involuntarily shouting as the Black Hollywood stars presented the award for special visual effects during the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. Warner Bros, the film studio behind Sinners, reportedly spoke directly with Bafta staff following the incident and requested its removal from the BBC broadcast, which aired two hours later. It is understood Warner Bros representatives were reassured this request would be passed on, and Bafta was in touch with the studio throughout the evening.
Labour MP Dawn Butler has since accused the BBC of "an obvious bias" and a "failure of duty of care" for airing the slur. The MP for Brent Central stated the offensive language "should never have been aired" and described its broadcast as "painful and unforgivable." She has written to outgoing director-general Tim Davie asking for an explanation on why it was left in. Warner Bros, the BBC, production company Penny Lane and Bafta have been contacted for comment regarding the incident.
Further condemnation came from filmmaker Jonte Richardson, who announced his resignation from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel over the academy’s handling of the incident. In a statement on LinkedIn, Richardson said: "After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel. The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable." He added: "I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members and the black creative community."
Richardson noted this was "particularly unfortunate given that this year’s cohort boasts some incredible black talent, especially one of my favourite shows of 2025 Just Act Normal." He continued: "However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour."
Richardson, a director, writer, producer and editor known for championing diverse voices, has worked on projects for Channel 4, BET, and HBO in both the UK and US.
Bafta has since apologised for the incident, taking "full responsibility" for putting its guests in a "difficult situation." In a statement released on Monday night, the academy apologised "unreservedly" to Jordan and Lindo, and "to all those impacted," adding: "We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism." The statement continued: "We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy."
The BBC also apologised for not editing the slur out, confirming it would be removed from BBC iPlayer. A spokesperson for the corporation said: "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 apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."
Awards ceremony presenter Alan Cumming had apologised for the language viewers may have heard during the broadcast.
John Davidson, an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette syndrome, expressed being "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning."
In a statement to the Press Association, Davidson said he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was "aware of the distress my tics were causing." According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used, that cannot be controlled.
The NHS states there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics. Davidson was at the Baftas representing the film, I Swear, which tells the story of the Scottish campaigner’s life with the condition, which he developed when he was 12. The film’s star, Robert Aramayo, won best actor for his performance, and the film also won best casting. Aramayo was also named EE Rising Star.
