The BBC has publicly acknowledged that a second racist slur was removed from the edited broadcast of the BAFTA ceremony, while admitting that an initial offensive utterance was inadvertently aired due to an oversight. This incident occurred during Sunday night's event, where a racial slur was shouted out as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first award. The outburst stemmed from an involuntary tic associated with Tourette's syndrome, a condition affecting the individual involved.
Broadcast Error and Internal Apology
In an internal email circulated to all BBC staff on Tuesday, chief content officer Kate Phillips expressed regret for the mistake, confirming that while one racial slur was edited out, another was broadcast in error. Phillips emphasized that the BBC takes full responsibility for the incident, stating it would never have been knowingly allowed on air. The ceremony, which had been condensed from three hours to two for broadcast, remained available on BBC iPlayer for over twelve hours with the offensive moment intact before being taken down for editing.
Filmmaker's Resignation and Criticism
Meanwhile, filmmaker Jonte Richardson announced his resignation from his role as a BAFTA emerging talent judge on Monday, citing the organization's inadequate response to the situation. In a statement shared online, Richardson condemned BAFTA for repeatedly failing to protect the dignity of Black guests and the broader Black creative community. He described the incident as utterly unforgivable and declared he could no longer contribute his expertise to the group. Richardson, who has worked on projects for Channel 4, BET, and HBO, became a BAFTA member in 2011.
BAFTA and BBC Public Apologies
BAFTA issued a formal apology on Monday night, taking full responsibility for placing guests in a difficult position and expressing regret to Jordan, Lindo, and all those affected. The organization praised the actors for their professionalism and vowed to learn from the event, reaffirming its commitment to inclusion. Earlier on Monday, the BBC also apologized for failing to edit out the slur before broadcast, noting that it arose from involuntary tics linked to Tourette's syndrome and was not intentional. Host Alan Cumming addressed the interruption during the ceremony, explaining the nature of the condition.
Background on Tourette's and the Individual Involved
The individual responsible for the slurs, Tourette's campaigner John Davidson, expressed deep mortification over the incident, stating he left the auditorium early due to the distress caused. Davidson, who inspired the film I Swear based on his life with severe Tourette syndrome, was made an MBE in 2019 for his advocacy work. According to medical sources, Tourette's syndrome involves sudden, repetitive movements or sounds called tics, with only about 10% of cases involving coprolalia, the involuntary use of inappropriate language.
The BAFTA ceremony also saw other moments edited out, including a call to free Palestine and the use of a derogatory term, highlighting broader editorial decisions during the broadcast. This event underscores ongoing challenges in live broadcasting and the importance of sensitivity in handling such incidents within the entertainment industry.
