BBC apologises after racial slur is broadcast during Bafta awards ceremony

The BBC has apologised for “any offence caused” after a racial slur shouted during the Bafta Film Awards ceremony was broadcast.

The slur was shouted by a member of the audience who reportedly had Tourette syndrome as Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented the award for special visual effects at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards 2026.

“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.”

The slur can still be heard on BBC iPlayer at the time of writing.

During the broadcast, the awards ceremony’s presenter Alan Cumming issued an apology for the language viewers may hear.

He said: “You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.

“Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended.”

One of the nominated films, I Swear, tells the story of Scottish Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, who developed the condition when he was 12 and was in the audience for at least part of the ceremony.

Robert Aramayo won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.

Mr Davidson was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette Syndrome and help families deal with the condition.

Speaking on Times Radio, Ed Palmer, vice chairman of Tourettes Action said the BBC should have considered bleeping out the slur.

He said: “This is really one of the most acute examples of where something that is a disability can cause quite understandably huge amounts of offence to someone.

“So, if it’s being pre-recorded now, then bleeping it out, for example, might be a reasonable compromise. But I think it has to be taken on a case-by-case kind of decision and scenario.

“But I’m very, very mindful of the people that would have quite understandably been hugely offended by whatever word was said, or an offensive word that’s used by somebody with tics and Tourettes.”

Mr Palmer went on to say he thought “it is important to show compassion and understand that it is involuntary” and added that “causing offence is often very distressing to people who have this condition”.

The ceremony saw Sinners director Ryan Coogler become the first black winner of the Bafta for best original screenplay for the film, which also won best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku and original score.

According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes you to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, which in rare incidences can result in offensive language being used, that cannot be controlled.

It says there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics.

Bafta, Tourette Scotland, Lindo and Jordan have been contacted for comment.