BAFTA Apologizes to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo After Racial Slur Incident

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has issued apologies to actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo following a racist slur shouted during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony. The incident occurred as Jordan and Lindo were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects.

The Incident and Aftermath

During the awards show on February 22nd, a member of the audience with Tourette’s syndrome involuntarily shouted a racial slur as Jordan and Lindo were on stage. The outburst interrupted the presentation, causing a moment of shock and concern. BAFTA host Alan Cumming briefly acknowledged the incident, having previously addressed the audience member’s tics earlier in the ceremony. The BBC, which broadcast the awards, also apologized for the offensive language not being edited out of its delayed broadcast.

Statements and Apologies

BAFTA released a statement taking “full responsibility” for the situation and apologizing to Jordan and Lindo. “We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all,” the academy stated. They pledged to learn from the incident and maintain a commitment to inclusion. The Los Angeles Times reported on the apology and the surrounding circumstances.

The BBC also issued an apology for the offensive language being aired. The individual responsible, John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette’s syndrome and the subject of the biopic I Swear, expressed being “deeply mortified” by the involuntary outburst, describing it as a tic. The Hollywood Reporter detailed Davidson’s condition and his perform as an advocate.

Delroy Lindo’s Response

Delroy Lindo addressed the incident at the 57th NAACP Image Awards, expressing his appreciation for the support he and Michael B. Jordan received. He described the response as “a classic case of something that could’ve been very negative becoming very positive.” Variety reported on Lindo’s comments at the NAACP awards.

Lindo also noted that neither BAFTA nor the BBC reached out to him or Jordan following the incident, a sentiment he shared with Vanity Fair. Deadline covered Lindo’s comments regarding the lack of direct contact from BAFTA.

Tourette’s Syndrome and the Incident

John Davidson’s tics are a manifestation of Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition characterized by involuntary movements and sounds, often including vocal tics like swearing. Davidson is a well-known advocate for Tourette’s awareness, having been awarded an honor by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for his work. His story is depicted in the film I Swear, which received three awards at the BAFTAs.