BAFTAs 2026: Racial Slur Incident Highlights Live Event Challenges

Feb 24, 2026

63 min

Feb 24, 2026 17:31

BAFTAs addresses racial slur during ceremony

## Incident at BAFTAs 2026

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, held at London's Royal Festival Hall, faced an unexpected disruption when a racial slur was heard during the live broadcast. The incident occurred as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects. Both presenters paused momentarily, visibly affected by the interruption, but continued with the ceremony.

## Source of the Disruption

The outburst was linked to John Davidson MBE, a campaigner for Tourette syndrome awareness. Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, was present at the event and had been introduced as someone who might involuntarily vocalize offensive language due to his condition. Despite prior warnings, the incident had a significant impact on the audience and presenters.

## BAFTA's Response

Following the event, BAFTA issued an apology to the affected parties, commending Jordan and Lindo for their professionalism. Davidson also expressed regret, emphasizing that his involuntary tics do not reflect his beliefs and reiterated his commitment to promoting understanding of Tourette syndrome.

## Broader Implications

The incident served as a reminder of the unpredictability of live events and highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding in such situations. It underscored the challenges of inclusion and the need for awareness about conditions like Tourette syndrome.

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